France move past All Blacks in World Rugby rankings, Springboks stay No 1

This followed their 25-13 victory over England at the weekend which also saw them win the Six Nations and Grand Slam for the first time since 2010.

They now have 88.88 rating points compared to the All Blacks' 88.75.

The French are also set for their longest run at No 2 having last occupied the position for one week only back in October 2007.

Les Bleus have never been at No 1 but are only 1.72 rating points behind the world champion Springboks.

Elsewhere, Six Nations runners-up Ireland remain fourth in the rankings, only a fraction more than half a point away from the All Blacks, following their 26-5 home win against Scotland.

The gap in the rankings between Ireland and fifth-placed England is now 3.72 points, while Scotland stay seventh.

Having lost to Italy on home soil for the first time in history, Wales have dropped below Argentina into ninth place.

Italy's historic 22-21 win in Cardiff ended a 36-game losing run in the Six Nations but it did not improve their position in the rankings, with the Azzurri staying in 14th place.

Georgia, who beat fellow World Cup qualifiers Spain 49-15 in the Rugby Europe Championship decider, moved above Samoa into 12th place.

1. South Africa 90.61

2. France 88.88

3. New Zealand 88.75

4. Ireland 88.22

5. England 84.50

6. Australia 83.92

7. Scotland 81.80

8. Argentina 80.58

9. Wales 79.28

10. Japan 78.26

11. Fiji 76.62

12. Georgia 73.78

13. Samoa 73.59

14. Italy 72.33

15. Spain 68.26

16. Tonga 67.72

17. Romania 66.95

18. USA 66.54

19. Uruguay 66.40

20. Portugal 65.72

Other:

24. Namibia 59.72

34. Zimbabwe 51.82