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Neck and neck: Can Australia pull South Africa downa notch?
Second place in the IRB World Rankings is at stake when South Africa and Australia meet for the second time in seven days on Saturday.
South Africa will retain second if they draw or defeat Australia. However, the Springboks will still remain nearly seven ratings points behind New Zealand, even with a victory by more than 15 points.
Even with a heavy loss, Australia will remain third in the rankings, over one rating point ahead of France.
If Australia win by any margin on Saturday in Bloemfontein they will move up to second, with South Africa dropping to third.
South Africa captain John Smit will equal Percy Montgomery's South African record of 102 international Test appearances in the penultimate Tri-Nations match this year.
There are currently eight players ahead of Montgomery in the all-time list, headed by Australia's George Gregan, with 139 appearances.
IRB world rankings:
1 New Zealand
2 South Africa
3 Australia
4 France
5 Ireland
6 England
7 Scotland
8 Argentina
9 Wales
10 Fiji
With thanks to the IRB
Comments
hossman says...
@justice_4_all, will you need salt and pepper for the sock eating ?? The men in gold look more formidable on paper this week, much more mongrel in the pack - better selections by Deans & Co. If we can create half the chances we did last week, well dare i dream of a famous victory at altitude..........................Hoss
Posted 07:52 04th September 2010
justice_4_all says...
If Oz win tomorrow then they deserve the #2 ranking, but it wont happen and I'll eat Trinats' lucky socks if it does. Good luck Oz; I hope that you need it...(here's hoping for 15 v 15 for 80 and no controversial ref calls). Go Bokke (PDV please bring Gio Aplon on early and I too would love to see Spies on the wing and Kankowski at 8!...brilliant suggestion, whoever made it)
Posted 22:01 03rd September 2010