The Springboks’ 32-17 victory over France in Paris has extended their lead over the second-placed All Blacks in the World Rugby rankings.
The Boks are now 1.71 ranking points ahead of their arch-rivals, who beat eighth-placed Scotland 25-17 at Murrayfield.
Italy remain 10th despite upsetting the seventh-placed Wallabies 26-19 in Udine, but have closed the gap on ninth-placed Fiji, who lost 38-18 to fourth-placed England at Twickenham.
Sixth-placed Argentina are now within 2.65 ranking points of France after hammering Wales 52-28 in Cardiff, with the Dragons staying 12th.
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World Rugby rankings
1. South Africa 93.06 (+0.86)
2. New Zealand 91.35 (+0.36)
3. Ireland 88.85
4. England 88.06 (+0.02)
5. France 86.95 (-0.86)
6. Argentina 84.30 (+0.48)
7. Australia 81.69 (-1.21)
8. Scotland 81.21 (-0.36)
9. Fiji 81.15 (-0.02)
10. Italy 78.98 (+1.21)
11. Georgia 74.69
12. Wales 73.57 (-0.48)
13. Japan 73.25
14. Spain 69.12
15. USA 67.40
Photo: David Rogers/Getty Images
