Updated rankings after Springboks lose to France

0 The Springboks were outplayed by France on Friday. Image: SA Rugby website Home » Sport » Rugby » Springboks » Updated rankings after Springboks lose to France

The Springboks’ narrow defeat to France in Paris has seen a change to the World Rugby rankings on Friday night.

0 The Springboks were outplayed by France on Friday. Image: SA Rugby website The battle between the Springboks and France was always expected to be an epic encounter, and ultimately some ill-discipline and poor executions came back to haunt South Africa, while also impacting the World Rugby rankings.

In the first half, France scored three tries to one to take a 21-7 lead, and although the Springboks were far better in the second period, they ultimately couldn’t capitalise.

Withstanding immense pressure during the final stage of the clash, France ultimately held on for a 21-19 win, which has also had a huge impact on the rankings.

The defeat sees the Springboks lose 1.56 rankings points, which sees them drop to second in the rankings behind New Zealand.

In turn, Les Bleus gain 1.56 rankings points and jump into third place into third spot ahead of Ireland.

The hosts had more possession and enjoyed territorial advantage in the first half, and their back-three of Aaron Grandidier Nkanang, Theo Attissogbe, and Louis Bielle-Biarrey all crossed for tries.

Their first two tries came while Lood de Jager was in the sin-bin for a dangerous tackle, with Maxime Lucu yellow carded for the same reason later in the half.

Jan-Hendrik Wessels scored the Boks’ only try in the opening half, while Kurt-Lee Arendse went over on the stroke of half-time, but he was adjudged to be offside at the lineout.

The Boks scored two tries in the second half while France failed to add any points to their tally, but the hosts did enough to seal their first win over South Africa in Paris since 2005.

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