Sports
Springboks Stay World Number One After Edge Of Seat Rugby Championship Finale
South Africa’s Springboks are ending the year where they’ve spent most of the past few right at the top of world rugby. Their nail-biting 29-27 victory over Argentina at Twickenham’s Allianz Stadium not only sealed back-to-back Rugby Championship titles but also ensured they remain the number one team on the planet.
Twickenham Thriller Keeps The Boks On Top
Rassie Erasmus’ side entered the final weekend knowing that only a win would guarantee them the title. Two tries each from Cobus Reinach and Malcolm Marx helped them hold off a fierce Argentine fightback that had every South African heart in their throat.
The victory adds another 0.28 points to South Africa’s world ranking tally, keeping them ahead of a charging New Zealand side, who themselves beat Australia 28-14 in Perth earlier in the day.
All Blacks Breathing Down Their Necks
Scott Robertson’s All Blacks moved back into second place, leapfrogging Ireland after their 11th straight win over the Wallabies. With only 0.82 points now separating the top two sides, November’s northern hemisphere tour promises to be a blockbuster showdown between the world’s best.
Still, for South Africans, there’s satisfaction in seeing their team defend both the Rugby Championship crown and their world number-one status a reflection of consistency and resilience that stretches beyond World Cup glory.
Local Pride, Global Respect
Back home, social media lit up with pride and relief. “Bokke never disappoint,” wrote one fan on X (formerly Twitter), while another joked, “Even Twickenham can’t handle our stress levels.” The blend of humor and admiration reflected how deeply this team continues to connect with its supporters.
It’s not just about winning it’s about how they win. Grit, unity, and the ability to grind out results under pressure have become the Bok identity under Erasmus and captain Siya Kolisi.
Ranking Round-Up
After the weekend’s matches, the top five teams stand as:
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South Africa – 91.90 points (+0.28)
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New Zealand – 90.02 points (+0.74)
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Ireland – 89.83 points
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France – 87.82 points
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England – 87.64 points
Argentina remain sixth despite their loss, their consistency keeping them in the top seeding band ahead of the 2027 Rugby World Cup draw.
What Comes Next
As the Springboks look ahead to the Autumn Nations Series, fans will expect the same passion and precision that brought them this far. And if there’s one thing the world has learned about this team it’s never wise to bet against them when the stakes are highest.
{Source:SABC Sport }
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