Rugby World Cup: All Blacks drop to fourth in world rankings after record defeat to South Africa

The All Blacks have fallen to fourth place on World Rugby's global rankings, days out from the start of the Rugby World Cup in France.

In an example of how volatile World Rugby's rankings are, New Zealand could have risen to No.1, had they defeated South Africa by more than 15 points at London's iconic Twickenham.

Instead, a record 35-7 defeat to the Springboks has seen them fall two places, leapfrogged by South Africa, now second, while France moved up one place to third, after their impressive win over the Wallabies.

Ireland continue to hold the tag of world No.1, where they've been ranked since July 2022 - after beating the All Blacks in a series away from home for the first time.

Slipping to fourth is only one place above their lowest-ever ranking position, when Ian Foster's side fell to fifth after defeat to South Africa in Mbombela last year. 

Meanwhile, Fiji have also received a boost from their historic victory at Twickenham, moving from ninth up to seventh.

As a result, England have fallen to eighth, as their struggles continue, since Eddie Jones was sacked at the end of 2022.

Things aren't going smoothly for Jones either. Winless in their first five tests in his second stint as Wallabies head coach, Australia have dropped to ninth in the world.

The rankings will not change again, until the Rugby World Cup begins on September 9, when the All Blacks face hosts France.

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