South Africa’s latest draw with Australia hands New Zealand the Rugby Championship title and Ireland third spot in the World Rugby Rankings.
While there continues to be nothing between South Africa and Australia on the pitch, following a second consecutive draw in the Rugby Championship, the gap between the two in the World Rugby Rankings has closed to just 0.69 of a point.
Saturday’s 27-27 stalemate in Bloemfontein, three weeks after the sides had shared the spoils 23-23 in Perth, has resulted in the Springboks losing a fraction under half a rating point to drop to 85.35 points, putting them below Ireland, who take their place in third, by four-hundredths. Australia stay fifth but with an improved rating of 84.66 points.
The rankings are not affected by the outcome of the Argentina and New Zealand match given that there are nearly 18 rating points and nine places between the sides.