Springboks climb to third in World Rugby Men’s Rankings powered

South Africa move above France thanks to their record 52-16 win over Wales in Cardiff on Saturday, while Paraguay are the other big winners from the weekend.

South Africa have replaced France in third place in the World Rugby Men’s Rankings powered by Capgemini as a result of their 52-16 win over Wales at the Principality Stadium on Saturday.

Jacques Nienaber’s team only picked up four-tenths of a point for their biggest-ever win over Wales in Wales but that was still enough for them overtake Les Bleus despite France also winning, 34-17 at home to Fiji.

France were one of four teams unable to improve their rating in victory this weekend because they were playing sides with a significantly lower rating before home advantage was even factored into the equation and they remain on 89.22 points with South Africa now on 89.37.

Ireland still lead the way on 91.82 points after they comfortably saw off England, 29-10 at the Aviva Stadium in Dublin. For the third consecutive match against Ireland, England had a man sent off, with Billy Vunipola joining Charlie Ewels and Freddie Steward in receiving a red card in the fixture.

New Zealand, who did not play this weekend, are second on 90.77 points.

Like France and Ireland, Georgia and Italy did not receive any reward for their respective victories. The Lelos, who stay in 11th place, defeated USA 22-7 in Tbilisi and 13th-placed Italy remain on 74.63 points after a 57-7 win over Romania who played with 14 men for the majority of the game following Adrian Motoc’s dismissal.

The opening round of the Sudamerica Rugby 4 Naciones did, however, bring about a change in the rankings with Paraguay shooting up three places as a result of their 50-7 win over Colombia in Asuncion.

Paraguay have replaced Colombia in 37th place with the beaten Los Tucanes falling four places to 41st.

Brazil beat Chile XV 27-12 in the other fixture.