Argentina, who are sixth-placed on the IRB (International Rugby Board) World Rankings are set to continue their charge up the rankings.
Argentina were placed ninth in June last year, and have since overtaken England, Wales and Scotland to seize sixth.
And now, after back-to-back wins over fifth-placed Ireland, they are ready to climb another rung into the top four.
The Irish travelled to Argentina 5.7 points ahead of their hosts – that deficit has been reduced by the Pumas to 0.11 points.
Over the same passage of time, since June last year, the Springboks plummeted from second to fifth, and have only recently hauled in Ireland to go to fourth.
After this weekend’s Tests, the Springboks are now only 0.42 points behind Australia, who themselves are only 0.11 points behind second-placed France.
With France set for another loss to the top-placed All Blacks this weekend, and Australia and South Africa set to record victories over Fiji and Samoa respectively, the rankings are due for a shuffle.
The IRB World Rankings:
1 New Zealand 94.59
2 France 85.66
3 Australia 85.55
4 South Africa 85.13
5 Ireland 82.52
6 Argentina 82.41
7 England 78.93
8 Wales 76.26
9 Italy 75.55
10 Samoa 74.49
11 Scotland 73.94
12 Fiji 72.52
Argentina were placed ninth in June last year, and have since overtaken England, Wales and Scotland to seize sixth.
And now, after back-to-back wins over fifth-placed Ireland, they are ready to climb another rung into the top four.
The Irish travelled to Argentina 5.7 points ahead of their hosts – that deficit has been reduced by the Pumas to 0.11 points.
Over the same passage of time, since June last year, the Springboks plummeted from second to fifth, and have only recently hauled in Ireland to go to fourth.
After this weekend’s Tests, the Springboks are now only 0.42 points behind Australia, who themselves are only 0.11 points behind second-placed France.
With France set for another loss to the top-placed All Blacks this weekend, and Australia and South Africa set to record victories over Fiji and Samoa respectively, the rankings are due for a shuffle.
The IRB World Rankings:
1 New Zealand 94.59
2 France 85.66
3 Australia 85.55
4 South Africa 85.13
5 Ireland 82.52
6 Argentina 82.41
7 England 78.93
8 Wales 76.26
9 Italy 75.55
10 Samoa 74.49
11 Scotland 73.94
12 Fiji 72.52
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