New Zealand have returned to the top of the World Rugby Rankings after beating South Africa 23-13 at the International Stadium Yokohama during the opening weekend of matches at World Cup 2019.
The All Blacks’ win, which maintained their proud record as the only nation to win every pool match at rugby’s showpiece event, lifted them above Ireland who kicked off their campaign with a 27-3 defeat of Scotland at the same stadium a day later.
South Africa’s defeat has seen them drop below Wales into fifth with Scotland falling one to eighth after their defeat and France’s nail-biting 23-21 defeat of Argentina at Tokyo Stadium on Saturday.
