What Springboks’ Italy win means for Nations Championship race

The Springboks remain on course for the Nations Championship final in London.

South Africa thrashed Italy 66-7 on 7 November to bolster their lead in the Southern Hemisphere standings.

New Zealand remain in second place after a bruising 43-21 win over Scotland on Saturday.

Where the Nations Championship race stands

Before Saturday, the Springboks were level with New Zealand in the Nations Championship standings.

The only thing separating the two Southern giants was a points difference of 30.

South Africa’s win in Turin has extended their points difference to +140 after four games.

This means the All Blacks effectively need the Springboks to slip up to reach the final at Twickenham.

Rassie Erasmus’s boys face France in Paris on 13 November, according to the Nations Championship website.

They then have another tough encounter against Ireland in Dublin on 21 November.

The competition wraps up with the finals weekend in London from 27 to 29 November.

How things stand in the Northern Hemisphere

Meanwhile, Ireland’s 42-12 thumping of Argentina took them to the top of the Northern Hemisphere table.

However, France can reclaim that position when they host Fiji later tonight (Saturday).

Scotland remain third, having failed to come away with a losing bonus point against the All Blacks.

Elsewhere, Wales must still host Japan, and England are set to welcome Australia.

The Wallabies are third in the Southern Hemisphere, while England are fourth in the Northern Hemisphere.

Italy remain at the bottom of the combined standings with 0 points and a massive PD of -153.

Fiji are not faring much better and are pointless after three games.

CAN THE SPRINGBOKS MAINTAIN THEIR LEAD IN THE NATIONS CHAMPIONSHIP RACE?

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