The reigning world champions are back up to number one in the world for the first time in 15 months after they broke France’s hearts and Ireland suffered an equally agonising defeat to New Zealand.
Ireland’s 15-month reign at the top of the World Rugby Men’s Rankings powered by Capgemini is over, just like their Rugby World Cup dream, following their heart-breaking 28-24 defeat to the All Blacks in Saturday's Stade de France classic.
Ireland have dropped two places to third with the triumphant All Blacks moving up to second, 1.57 points behind the new pacesetters South Africa, who ejected hosts France from their own party with a breathtaking 29-28 win in an equally epic Saint-Denis quarter-final.
The Springboks now have a rating of 92.48 points compared to New Zealand’s 90.91 with Ireland third on 90.57.
A crestfallen France has dropped a couple of places to fourth in defeat, on 87.81 points, with England coming next in fifth after they moved up a place at Scotland’s expense thanks to their 30-24 win over Fiji.
England and Argentina now have a shot at making history as no team outside of the top four of the rankings at the tournament’s start has gone on to lift the Webb Ellis Cup.
Argentina remain in the mix after they came from behind to beat Wales 29-17 in the first of the four quarter-finals. Los Pumas and Wales have traded places in seventh and eighth.
