Springboks set sights on top spot

The resurgent Springboks are eyeing the All Blacks’ No 1 world ranking.

The Boks have rebounded from their horror 2016 to win their first five tests of the year.

Having thumped the French in June and then seen off the Pumas home and away to make a promising start to the Rugby Championship, they are aware their true tests await in Australia and New Zealand.

But new skipper Eben Etzebeth is talking big when it comes to the aspirations of his team.

‘‘We’re still not where we want to be,’’ Etzebeth said as the Boks readied in Cape Town for their Australasian trip.

‘‘We all know where the Springboks want to be. From seventh to third in five games is pretty good for us but we’re still looking to climb that ladder two more spots.’’

The All Blacks have had a monopoly on the No 1 ranking with England now at No 2. The Boks have surged past the wobbling Wallabies to reassert themselves.

Etzebeth, the hard-nosed lock who is revelling in the responsibilities of being Springboks captain, says the next phase of the championship on the road will probably decide the Boks’ fate and c give them a better gauge of their improvements.

‘‘This coming tour is going to be massive,’’ he said of the tests in Perth and Albany.

‘‘After these two weeks we’ll know where we stand and what we need to do in the last two weeks. We’re confident, but more excited to see how we go against two of the best teams in the world.’’