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When Australia led South Africa 42-17 with 17 minutes to go, the whole world expected them to beat the Springboks by a margin big enough to skip both Scotland and England and advance to fifth place World Men’s Rugby Rankings.
However, conceding four yellow cards – the most the Wallabies have ever picked up in a single Test – put paid to that idea, and instead they were happy to hang on for a precious 42-38 win against the world champions.
In terms of the world rankings, the Wallabies improved their score by a few points to 85.55 points, which took them above Scotland and into sixth place for the first time in a year.
However, they fell just short of overtaking fifth-placed England, with just 0.13 points separating the two big rivals. Had they beaten the Springboks by more than 15 points, they would have increased their score to 86.55 and would be breathing down their necks France in the fourth.
Australia, once ranked second in the world, was last ranked fifth in early July 2022.
While the RWC 2027 hosts could end the weekend reaching those lofty heights again, sixth place is still a significant improvement for a team that once seemed in danger of falling out of the top 10.
After gaining over 95 points in the rankings for the first time just a few weeks ago, the Springboks have fallen to 93.09 points, a 1.94 point advantage New Zealand at the top of the rankings.
Updated World Rugby Men’s Rankings – Top 10*
1. South Africa – 93.09
2. New Zealand – 91.15
3. Ireland – 88.08
4. France – 87.43
5. England – 85.68
6. Australia – 85.55
7. Scotland – 84.78
8. Argentina – 82.25
9. Japan – 77.28
10. Fiji – 76.81
*Officially updated by World Rugby at 12:00 Monday (BST)
