Rugby Rankings: Where Springboks stand after Tonga win

The Rugby World Cup will get back under way from this Thursday, but the Springboks won’t be in action again until – hopefully – they qualify for the quarter-finals. Where they stand in the World Rugby Rankings, in the meantime, is still a point of interest.

ALSO READ: How Springboks could still MISS out on World Cup quarter-finals

The Springboks – who beat Tonga by 49-18 – currently lead Pool B with 15 points, although they’ve played one more match than Ireland (in second place with 14 points) and Scotland (in third place with 10 points), with those teams yet to face one another in their final pool match on Saturday, 7 October.

With a few days to rest and reflect, the latest Word Rugby rankings do make for interesting reading.

Currently, the Springboks are in third position (89.70 points), just behind France (90.59), while Ireland are well clear in first place (93.79).

ALSO READ: Springbok veteran to be ruled out of World Cup?

YOU CAN SEE WHERE THE SPRINGBOKS LIE IN THE LATEST RANKINGS BELOW:

REMAINING WORLD CUP POOL GAMES

Thursday, Oct 5 – New Zealand v Uruguay, OL Stadium, 9pm

Friday, Oct 6 – France v Italy, OL Stadium, 9pm

Saturday, Oct 7 – Wales v Georgia, Stade de la Beaujoire, 3pm

Saturday, Oct 7 – England v Samoa, Stade Pierre-Mauroy, 5.45pm

Saturday, Oct 7 – Ireland v Scotland, Stade de France, 9pm

Sunday, Oct 8 – Japan v Argentina, Stade de la Beaujoire, 1pm

Sunday, Oct 8 – Tonga v Romania, Stade Pierre-Mauroy, 5.45pm

Sunday, Oct 8 – Fiji v Portugal, Stade de Toulouse, 9pm

ALSO READ: Could Springboks have to call up another player?

SPRINGBOKS HAPPY ENOUGH AT THIS POINT

The Boks scored seven tries to three against Tonga, and given the physicality of the match, coach Jacques Nienaber was pleased with his team’s defensive effort.

“From a defensive point of view, I’m proud,” said Nienaber.

“We don’t see it as a negative. The team showed great attitude on defence against a Tongan team that got better as the tournament progressed, and I feel the guys put in a great shift in their physicality on defence.”

ALSO READ: Prayers, jersey swaps: Boks, Tonga display rugby brotherhood