The Springboks have plummeted to sixth position in the World Rugby rankings following their 34-32 loss to Japan.
Defeat in their first-ever meeting with Japan sees South Africa's points tally reduced by four from 85.15 to 81.15. The Boks are now ranked below the three big northern hemisphere nations England, Wales and Ireland and are just 0.03 of a point clear of seventh-placed France. Japan have moved up from 13th to 11th.
Despite victories in their opening matches of the tournament, England (85.04), Wales (84.63) and Ireland (84.4) failed to add to their points total because the teams they beat are all ranked well below them.
The top-ranked All Blacks overcame Argentina 26-16, but neither side's rating points were changed.
Meanwhile, Samoa's nine-point victory over the USA on Sunday earned them a 1.4 points increase, which moves them up to 10th in the rankings, ahead of Scotland and Tonga.
World Rugby rankings (Top 10):
1. New Zealand (92.89)
2. Australia (86.67)
3. England (85.04)
4. Wales (84.63)
5. Ireland (84.4)
6. South Africa (81.15)
7. France (81.12)
8. Argentina (78.39)
9. Fiji (77.04)
10. Samoa (76.18)
11. Japan 76.06
12. Scotland 75.88
13. Georgia 72.62
14. Tonga72.43
15. Italy 70.53
Full rankings
How the rankings work
Photo: Steve Haag/Gallo Images
