Latest World Rankings: England win ends long wait to top rankings

England have returned to the top of the World Rankings for the first time in 15 years with their Rugby World Cup 2019 final opponents South Africa now breathing down their necks.

England and South Africa have been further rewarded for making the Rugby World Cup final for 12 years as they climb to one and two in the World Rankings respectively.

England's 19-7 defeat of two-time defending champions New Zealand in the first semi-final at International Stadium Yokohama on Saturday lifted Eddie Jones' men to the top of the rankings – a position England had last occupied 5,613 days ago in June 2004.

When Eddie Jones took over as England head coach, the side was ranked 8th overall.

Meanwhile, the Springboks were ranked 6th when Rassie Erasmus took over from Allister Coetzee

A day later South Africa returned to second spot for the first time since August 2015 on the back of a 19-16 defeat of Wales to keep their hopes of a third Rugby World Cup success alive.

 

 

 

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Eddie Jones couldn't resist the chance to hit back at Warren Gatland after he suggested that England may have played their final in semi-finals😂 #RWCFinal #RWC2019

A post shared by Ultimate Rugby (@ultimaterugby) on Oct 28, 2019 at 5:00am PDT

The end of New Zealand's 18-match winning run in the tournament means the All Blacks have slipped to third, equalling their lowest ever position since the rankings were introduced in October 2003. 

They will hope that history repeats itself as they slipped to third after losing the RWC 2003 semi-final to Australia but bounced back to second a week later with victory in the bronze final.

Wales, meanwhile, fell one place to fourth after missing out on a place in a first Rugby World Cup final. 

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Via: World Rugby