World rankings: Springboks finish the year on top of the standings

The Springboks’ victory over Wales means that for the first time since 2013, South Africa have gone unbeaten during their November internationals.

Not since Heyneke Meyer was head coach of the Boks have the side won each of their end-of-year Tests as Rassie Erasmus’ charges defeated Scotland, England and Wales in back-to-back weekends this month.

South Africa top the World Rugby rankings in 2024

After surrendering top spot in the rankings during the penultimate weekend of the Rugby Championship following their defeat to Argentina, South Africa arrived in the Northern Hemisphere ranked second overall in the rankings.

However, Ireland’s defeat to New Zealand paired with the Springboks‘ 32-15 victory over Scotland saw Erasmus’ men reclaim the top spot, a position they have maintained throughout the international window.

A four-try 29-20 win over England at Twickenham Stadium saw the Springboks open up a 2.0 rating point lead over Ireland at the top of the standings even with Andy Farrell’s charges defeating Argentina.

A shock defeat to Wales would have seen South Africa slip from top spot but that was not to be as the Springboks emphatically put Warren Gatland’s men to the sword with the Welsh going the entire year without a Test victory.

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Franco Mostert, Eben Etzebeth, Kurt-Lee Arendse, Elrigh Louw, Aphelele Fassi, Gerhard Steenekamp and Jordan Hendrikse all crossed for tries in the victory which has seen South Africa cement their place on the top of the rankings, a position they will hold into 2025.

This is because regardless of the All Blacks’ result against Italy and Ireland’s final game of the year against Australia, neither side can surpass the Springboks’ tally of 92.78 rating points.

South Africa won 11 of their 13 Test matches only slipping to Ireland and Argentina, losing those two games by a single point. The Springboks also won a full Rugby Championship title for the first time after winning a truncated tournament in 2019 and a Tri Nations in 2004.

Springboks player ratings: ‘Brutal’ South Africa pack ‘obliterate’ Wales as backs ‘dazzle’ in an emphatic end to the year

World Rugby Rankings

Accurate as of 23/11/2024 following the Springboks win over Wales

1 South Africa 92.78
2 Ireland 90.78
3 New Zealand 90.09
4 France 88.51
5 Argentina 84.97
6 Scotland 82.70
7 England 82.31
8 Australia 82.17
9 Fiji 80.07
10 Italy 78.92

READ MORE: Springboks manhandle woeful Wales to complete Autumn Nations Series sweep, piling more pressure on Warren Gatland