RG Snyman celebrates 50th Test with 'special win' against Ireland
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Springboks to finish 2025 well on top of World Rugby rankings after win over Ireland
The Springboks marched to an impressive 24-13 victory over Ireland, which earned them 0.88 ranking points and strengthened their stronghold at the summit of the rankings.
While the All Blacks blasted to a 52-26 win over Wales, New Zealand did not earn any ranking points for the victory due to the 16.09-point differential between the teams before home weighting is factored in.
Even if Wales were to stun the Springboks next weekend at the Principality Stadium in Cardiff, Rassie Erasmus' men will remain in top position as they hold a 3.61 buffer over second-placed New Zealand.
Despite being emphatically beaten by the All Blacks, Wales have moved up the World Rugby rankings as they benefit from Japan's 23-25 victory over Georgia. Eddie Jones' side have moved into 12th position, Wales into 11th, with the Georgians dropping two places to 13th.
Meanwhile, France and Australia remained in fifth and seventh, respectively, despite Les Bleus claiming a 48-33 victory, earning them 0.16 ranking points.
The win means that Japan have secured a Band 2 placing ahead of the 2027 Rugby World Cup draw. Earlier this week, Samoa secured their place at the tournament in Australia after a 13-all stalemate with Belgium.
That result saw Samoa drop two ranking places into 19th, with Chile and Tonga moving up a position each.
New Zealand will hold onto second place even if England convincingly defeat Argentina, but Sunday's action will decide the final placing of the band one nations.
In the event that Los Pumas defeat England, Ireland will move into third place in the rankings.
Latest World Rugby rankings (As of 22/11/2025)
1 South Africa 93.94 (+0.88)
2 New Zealand 90.33 (unchanged)
3 England 89.09
4 Ireland 87.97 (-0.88)
5 France 87.24 (+0.16)
6 Argentina 85.30
7 Australia 81.53 (-0.16)
8 Fiji 81.14 (+0.11)
9 Scotland 80.22
10 Italy 78.98
11 Wales 74.23
12 Japan 74.09 (+1.51)
13 Georgia 73.18 (-1.51)
14 Spain 69.01 (-0.11)
15 USA 68.26
16 Uruguay 68.52
17 Chile 66.72
18 Tonga 66.66
19 Samoa 66.43 (-0.51)
20 Portugal 64.98 (+0.10)
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