The Springboks have successfully held onto their coveted No. 1 ranking following their triumphant victory over New Zealand in the Rugby World Cup final.
Entering the final as the top-ranked team, South Africa’s commanding performance in the championship match solidified their position at the summit of the rugby world, a position they will maintain until the year’s end.
The final showcased a colossal effort from the Springboks, with Handre Pollard’s accurate kicking leading to four crucial first-half penalties that paved the way for their success.
Despite a valiant effort from the All Blacks in the second half, including two opportunities to seize the lead, Richie Mo’unga’s missed conversion following the first-ever try scored against the Springboks in a Rugby World Cup proved decisive.
As a result of their loss in the final, New Zealand will slip to the third position in the rankings, falling behind Ireland, who held the No. 1 spot leading up to the Rugby World Cup.
France occupies the fourth spot, having exited the tournament in the quarter-finals at the hands of the Springboks. Meanwhile, England’s playoff victory was not sufficient to boost their ranking, but it did prevent them from plummeting to their lowest-ever position in the rankings.
How the Rankings Work:
The World Rugby Rankings, both for men and women, are determined through a ‘Points Exchange’ system, wherein teams gain or lose points based on match results. The exchanges factor in the match outcome, the relative strength of the teams, and the margin of victory, with an allowance for home advantage.
During the World Cup Finals, points exchanges are doubled, acknowledging the unique significance of this event. However, all other full international matches are treated equally to ensure fairness among countries participating in a mix of friendly and competitive matches worldwide.
It’s important to note that matches that are not full internationals between two member countries do not contribute to the rankings. Each member country is assigned a rating, typically ranging from 0 to 100, with the top-ranked team usually boasting a rating above 90.
