England and South Africa have moved to second and third in the World Rugby rankings following wins over Australia and Ireland respectively.

The Boks' series-levelling 32-26 victory over Ireland at Ellis Park earns them a 0.37 of a point increase, which is enough to elevate them back to third in the rankings. The Boks, though, remain over 10 rating points behind the All Blacks. Ireland have lost 0.37 of a point, but it does not influence their ranking.

England's prodigious rise under Eddie Jones continues as they move to second in the rankings on the back of their first-ever series win over the Wallabies in Australia. Their rankings tally increases from 86.37 to 88.50. Meanwhile, Australia's crushing 23-7 defeat at the hands of England results in a two-place relegation from second to fourth.

In the only other change to the top 10, Scotland's 26-13 win over Japan moves them to eighth at the expense of France, who lost 30-19 to Argentina in Tucumán.

Further down, Italy replace Tonga in 13th position, while Canada overtake neighbours the USA in 17th spot.

World Rugby rankings (Top 20)

1. New Zealand 96.10
2. England 88.50
3. South Africa 86.03
4. Australia 85.43
5. Argentina 82.87
6. Wales 82.49
7. Ireland 81.96
8. Scotland 79.50
9. France 78.09
10. Fiji 77.14
11. Japan 75.89
12. Georgia 73.57
13. Italy 71.57
14. Tonga 70.56
15. Samoa 70.27
Full rankings
How the rankings work

Photo: Anne Laing/HSM Images