After claiming back-to-back World Cup titles last year, the Springboks have maintained that winning momentum, clinching eights victories in 10 Tests this year on the way to lifting the Rugby Championship trophy, and yet the world rankings suggest they aren’t the No 1 team in the world.
During that run of results, the Springboks secured four consecutive wins against the All Blacks for the first time in 75 years, and lifted the Freedom Cup for the first time in 15 years.
However, all it took for the Springboks to concede the No 1 spot in the world rankings to Ireland (promoted by default) was a solitary shock loss to Los Pumas in Argentina.
Earlier this season, Ireland of course proved that they are something of a bogey team for South Africa after clinching a 25-24 win in Durban to draw the two-Test series, but since then they have not been in action.
Instead, Ireland have leapfrogged the Springboks with 92.12 ratings points, followed by South Africa on 91.77 and New Zealand on 88.70.
It’s difficult to make sense of it all, and in an article published by the Irish Times this past weekend, even that publication conceded it was dumbfounding.
“Never since the introduction of the official World Rugby men’s rankings 21 years ago has any side made quite such a mockery of the rating system than South Africa right now,” the article read.
“The mighty Springboks, reigning back-to-back World Cup champions, have just clinched the Rugby Championship, and they did so with the authority that befits a world champion outfit. In the process, Rassie Erasmus’ charges enhanced their growing reputation as the indestructible subjugators of world rugby.
“And, yet, South Africa are currently only ranked second on the World Rugby Rankings, 0.35 points adrift of Ireland. How bizarre.”
Former Ireland player disregards world rankings and Springboks’ position
Former Ireland scrumhalf John Robbie – who in fairness has adopted South Africa as his home for the last few decades – agreed that the rankings made no sense at all.
“It’s one of my pet hates, rugby rankings,” stated Robbie. “What does it matter? It is a load of nonsense.
“Ireland have been ranked number one three times in the past five years and, yet, have no World Cup trophy to show for it. The Boks on the other hand, have won the Web Ellis Cup a record four times already, of which the last two back-to-back.
“The rankings are just a sideshow as far as I’m concerned.”
HOW THE STANDINGS LOOK NOW
WHICH TEAM DO YOU THINK IS DESERVING OF THE NO 1 SPOT?
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