Heaviest defeats in history

Last Saturday, we witnessed the biggest defeat in South Africa’s proud history. A somewhat inexperienced and questionably coached squad, suffering a 57-0 humiliation against the World Champions.

The event did raise the interesting and sometimes painful topic of heaviest defeats in history. Below is a list of rugby nations, specifically those ranked as Tier 1 and 2 Nations, their greatest defeats and who can be held responsible:

1. Namibia – 142 points (142-0 to Australia, 2003 Australia World Cup)
2. Romania – 134 points (134-0 to England, Romanian 2001 End of Year Tour)
3. Uruguay – 131 points (134-3 to South Africa, Uruguayan 2005 Summer Tour)
4. Japan – 128 points (17-145 to New Zealand, 1995 South Africa World Cup)
5. Tonga – 102 points (102-0 to New Zealand in Tongan 2000 Summer Tour)
6. Italy – 101 points (101-0 to South Africa, Italian 1999 Summer Tour)
7. USA – 98 points (106-8 to England, American 1999 End of Year Tour)
8. Portugal – 95 points (108-13 to New Zealand, 2007 French World Cup)
9. Fiji – 91 points (91-0 to New Zealand, Fijian 2005 Summer Tour)
10. Samoa – 87 points (101-14 to New Zealand, Samoan 2008 Summer Tour)
11. Argentina – 85 points (93-8 to New Zealand, Argentinian 1997 Summer Tour)
12. Wales – 83 points (96-13 to South Africa, Welsh 1998 Summer Tour)
13. Spain – 82 points (10-92 to Australia, Australian 2001 End of Year Tour)
14. Georgia – 78 points (6-84 to England, 2003 Australia World Cup)
15. England – 76 points (76-0 to Australia, English 1998 End of Year Tour)
16. Russia – 72 points (75-3 to Japan, Russian 2010 End of Year Tour)
17. Canada – 70 points (70-0 to England, Canadian 2004 End of Year Tour)
18. Ireland – 60 points (60-0 to New Zealand in Irish 2012 Summer Tour)
19. Scotland – 58 points (10-68 to South Africa in South African 1997 End of Year Tour)
20. South Africa – 57 points (57-0 to New Zealand, 2017 Rugby Championship)
21. France – 51 points (61-10 to New Zealand, French 2007 Summer Tour)
22. Australia – 45 points (53-8 to South Africa in 2008 Tri Nations)
23. New Zealand – 21 points (28-7 to Australia in 1999 Tri Nations)

Trivia

New Zealand has inflicted the most record defeats, responsible for 9 nation’s blackest day. South Africa comes in 2nd with 5 national scalps. Australia and England are tied third with 4 routs apiece. Japan has one milestone victory to their name and is the only Tier 2 Nation to have achieved the feet.

South Africa’s most recent history making thrashing is the first time in 5 years a tier 1 country has suffered such a noteworthy defeat, Ireland being the previous unlucky holder from 2012, also to New Zealand.

To South Africa’s credit, they are responsible for the most routs of Tier 1 nations, 4 of the 5 rugby humiliations they’ve dished out come to such countries: Italy, Scotland, Wales and Australia. New Zealand has 3: South Africa, France and Ireland. The remaining 2 Tier 1 nations, England and New Zealand belong to Australia.

Spain and Scotland are the only two on the list to have suffered their defeat at home. Spain has the excuse of being a Tier below their opponents. Scotland does not. Sometimes it’s s***e being Scottish.

Namibia’s defeat to Australia is also the biggest defeat in international rugby history.

Japan have scored the most during their defeat, getting 17 points via 2 converted tries and a penalty, making their defeat only the second biggest in international rugby history.

The vast majority of defeats came to countries touring. 2 defeats occurred on neutral ground during a World Cup. 2 came during away Tri-Nations fixtures and one away fixture during the most recent Rugby Championship. The 6 Nations have never seen such an event.