France will be the world's No. 1 after it beat Japan 20-15 in Tokyo on Saturday. According to World Rugby projections, Monday will be the first day that the ranking has been established since 2003.
Fabien Galthie's team, undefeated with ten wins in a row this season, also a first ever in the history of XV France, will now surpass South Africa, the previous world No. 1 beaten by Wales on thread (13-12).
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The Springboks would have been the world champions if they had won. However, their loss, along with the Blues' second win in Japan and an All Blacks loss less than 15 points against Ireland ( 23-12), allows the French to move ahead of them in next week's ranking.
South Africa will drop to third in the standings. Ireland, who won a historic victory in New Zealand against All Blacks on Saturday in Dunedin, will take over. According to the ranking, New Zealanders fell from second place to fourth, their lowest place since its inception.