The nations of the Northern Hemisphere marked time during the quarter-finals of the World Cup and logically left their places at the top of the World Rugby rankings to their weekend tormentors from the South. At the top of the world hierarchy before the tournament, Ireland, beaten by New Zealand (24-28) on Saturday, abandons its No. 1 status to South Africa, which benefits from its victory against France (28-29) Sunday.
With 92.48 points, the Springboks, previously in third place, are now ahead of the All Blacks (90.91 points), whom they have a good chance of meeting in the final in two weeks at the Stade de France. The Irish (90.57 points) lost two places, while the French came off the podium to find themselves in fourth position.
In the top 10, other changes took place following the quarters. Eliminated in the group stage, Scotland fell to sixth place and was overtaken by England, the only European nation in the last four. Behind, Argentina, now the seventh nation in the world, overtakes Wales, which it beat this Friday (17-29) in Marseille.
