Springboks take second place from Wallabies
LIAM NAPIER Last updated 05:00 04/10/2012 2 Getty
FINDING FORM: South Africa have moved above the Wallabies in to second place on the IRB world rankings.
All Blacks
All Blacks kick back, Springboks talk kicksDagg's new appreciation for All Blacks jerseySpringboks take second place from WallabiesBoks seek rare recent victory over All BlacksAll Blacks plan to expose youngster GoosenSpringboks' tactics have All Blacks guessingAll Blacks need to be at best against BoksAll Blacks will 'destroy' Springboks - SpencerNZRU chair says Argentina mugging a blurRejigged Springboks pose threat to All BlacksThe balance of power has been restored, but only just.
South Africa's emphatic five-try victory in Pretoria last week has catapulted them above the Wallabies in to second place on the IRB world rankings.
Not that there were any doubts, but the updated rankings confirm the two best teams in world rugby will go head-to-head in Soweto on Sunday morning (NZT).
The Springboks, who surrendered second spot with a quarter-final exit at the world cup in New Zealand last year, may only hold a narrow four tenths lead over Robbie Dean's third-ranked side, but the All Blacks feel that truly reflects the state of international supremacy.
"When you look at the performance from last weekend and how dominant the Springboks were it's a fair indication," All Blacks hooker Keven Mealamu said.
Australia's first Grand Slam tour in 25-years now takes on greater importance in the lead up to the 2015 world cup pool announcement on December 3.
With the top four teams set to be kept apart in the pool rounds, the Wallabies can't afford any further losses against the premier nations as they sit just two points above England and France.
Their match against England at Twickenham on November 7 could be pivotal to deciding the world cup draw.
All Blacks assistant coach Ian Foster felt the change in rankings reminded the world champions their dominance could not be taken for granted.
"Certainly on last week's performance you could say it is [a fair assessment], but let's not forget Australia beat the Springboks in Australia," Foster said.
"That just shows how close this championship is. When you see Australia beat South Africa and then the other way around it reminds us about the fine line and never thinking ahead of ourselves.
"We've done that well so far, but this challenge on Sunday is going to test our character and desire to do that again. South Africa are clearly a team in great form after last week."
