Cape Town - Despite being inactive for the past three weekends, the Springboks have moved up to No 3 in the latest official rankings released by World Rugby on Monday.
FULL list of World Rugby rankings
England’s 21-13 win over Ireland at Twickenham this past weekend has seen them jump two spots from No 6 to No 4, with Ireland dropped three places to No 6.
This allowed the Springboks to move up from fourth to third position. Heyneke Meyer’s charges currently boast 85.15 ratings points, trailing Australia (86.67) and New Zealand (92.89).
The All Blacks remain comfortably atop the rankings - a position they have occupied since November 2009.
World Rugby rankings (Top 15):
1. New Zealand 92.89
2. Australia 86.67
3. South Africa 85.15
4. England 85.04
5. Wales 84.63
6. Ireland 84.40
7. France 81.12
8. Argentina 78.39
9. Fiji 77.04
10. Scotland 75.88
11. Tonga 75.69
12. Samoa 75.14
13. Japan 72.06
14. Italy 70.53
15. USA 70.36