South Africa take back second place on rankings

South Africa brought a halt to a three-game losing streak in the Tri Nations in style with a 53-8 defeat of Australia in Johannesburg on Saturday, a victory which sees them return to second place in the IRB World Rankings.

The world champions had slipped to third following their 27-15 loss to Australia in Durban last week, but bounced back to reclaim second spot and increase their rating points to 87.75.

However this still leaves South Africa trailing number one side New Zealand by 3.46 rating points before the All Blacks tackle Australia in the Tri Nations title decider at Suncorp Stadium in Brisbane on 13 September.

Australia now slip to third and 86.52 rating points, although this is still over three points above fourth ranked Argentina following only the second loss of Robbie Deans’ reign as Wallabies coach – and first in three matches with South Africa in 2008.