The Springboks final world rankings and points tally has been confirmed by World Rugby. Meanwhile, Ireland still have to play. Let’s break it down.

Double Rugby World Cup-winning captain Siya Kolisi has hailed South Africa’s supporters after a fi

rst Test victory over Ireland in Pretoria. Image: SA Rugby website
There is just one more test match left. However, for the Springboks and Rassie the 2024 season is over.

The Springboks have returned to the top of the latest world rankings.

Moreover, with their season over. This is how many points they will finish on.

SPRINGBOKS FINAL RUGBY WORLD RANKING FOR 2024
1 South Africa 92.78
2 Ireland 90.78
3 New Zealand 90.36
4 France 88.51
5 Argentina 84.97
6 Scotland 83.34
7 England 82.31
8 Australia 82.17
9 Fiji 80.07
10 Italy 78.64
11 Wales 74.01
12 Georgia 73.85
13 Japan 72.95
14 Samoa 72.68
15 USA 68.90
16 Portugal 68.82
17 Spain 67.10
18 Uruguay 65.94
19 Tonga 65.46
20 Romania 64.13
A MEMORABLE SEASON FOR RASSIE AND SOUTH AFRICA
So, the Springboks will finish the year on 92.78. Meaning, they will finish the 2024 year as the number one rugby team in the world. Rightfully so.

The Springboks conquered the Nelson Mandela Plate, Freedom Cup, Rugby Championship before going unbeaten in their end of year tour to the UK. Moreover, they had three of the four World Rugby Player of the Year nominees including the IRB World Rugby Player of the Year, Pieter-Steph du Toit.

ONE MORE TEST TO GO
There is one more test match left between Ireland and Australia.

However, no scoreline can see Ireland overtake the Springboks. Whereas, a loss to Australia would see New Zealand leap frog them into second to close off the 2024 season. Meanwhile, the same result would result in the Boks extending their gap over Ireland.

A win for the Aussies would see former Ireland coach, Joe Schmidt and his men move up to sixth with Ireland dropping to third.

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Springboks boss Rassie Erasmus reacts to World Rugby Awards as Pieter-Steph du Toit takes the top prize

 Springboks head coach Rassie Erasmus has praised his players after Pieter-Steph du Toit was named World Rugby Player of the Year for a second time.

Du Toit beat teammates Cheslin Kolbe and Eben Etzebeth, as well as Ireland star Caelan Doris, to the top individual prize in the men’s 15s game.

Hard work of the Springboks players

In doing so, he becomes the first South African player to claim the award on more than one occasion having first done so back in 2019 after winning the Rugby World Cup with the Springboks in Japan.

32-year-old Du Toit was also selected in the 2024 World Rugby Men’s 15s Dream Team along with six other Springbok World Cup winners – Etzebeth, Kolbe, Ox Nche, Malcolm Marx, Damian de Allende and Jesse Kriel which capped off a rewarding evening for the top-ranked side on the world.

Head coach Erasmus was full of praise for his stars that featured in the team as well as those Boks who did not make the cut.

“To have so many of our players feature in the awards a testament to their hard work and dedication to the team and the Springbok brand, and that’s what makes this such a special group,” Erasmus said.

“What makes this achievement even more significant is that we used 50 players in total this season and rotated our squad regularly, which shows the calibre of players they are. But rugby is a team sport, and it takes each one of the squad members to do their bit to place one another in positions to shine.

“With the vast player depth in our squad, I’m sure a few more players were close to being nominated, but each one of these players certainly deserves this recognition and we are very proud of them.”

Erasmus praises Boks players and staff

Erasmus was notably overlooked for the Coach of the Year award with France 7s coach Jérôme Daret, who led his side to an Olympic Gold medal, receiving the gong.

South Africa’s 45-12 victory over Wales this weekend brought an end to the Springboks’ 2024 season and the head coach thanked his squad and staff for their efforts this season, which saw the side win 11 of their 13 games with their two losses coming by just a single point.

“It takes each person in a squad to perform their role proficiently to ensure that the players can deliver on the field, so thank you to the winners and Dream team players, as well as every other player who has been part of the squad this year, not to mention the coaches, medical team, and team management for their commitment to the cause and for allowing us to build such a special team. This is all thanks to the collective effort and well done to all involved,” Erasmus added.