The Springboks have won back the N.o 2 world ranking spot after their massive Tri Nations win over the Wallabies.

Australia dropped to third after suffering just their second loss in Robbie Deans' short tenure.

New Zealand remain top of the ladder with a 3.46 points buffer in the complicated system.

That should see them safe at No. 1 until the test season shifts north in November, even with their Tri Nations decider against the Wallabies looming in Brisbane next week.

IRB world rankings:
1 New Zealand 91.21
2 Springboks 87.75
3 Australia 86.52
4 Argentina 83.36
5 England 83.16
6 Wales 80.12
7 France 78.99
8 Ireland 77.18
9 Scotland 76.92
10 Italy 75.57