The Springboks have been drawn with Italy, Georgia, and Romania for the pool levels of the 2027 Rugby World Cup in Australia, the place they are going to be aiming for for an unprecedented third consecutive title after lifting the Webb Ellis Cup in Japan in 2019, and France in 2023.
The Boks have confronted all three their pool opponents in Rugby World Cups earlier than – Romania in 1995 and 1999, Georgia in 2003, and Italy in 2019.
The draw was carried out in Australia on Wednesday morning (SA time), with the 24 taking part groups cut up into 4 bands in keeping with their world rankings, with the groups randomly chosen into the six swimming pools.
Springbok coach Rassie Erasmus was glad with the pool draw as they proceed to place the constructing blocks in place to stake a declare for a doable third RWC title in a row.
“We’re happy with the pool we’ve got been drawn in, however it is a World Cup, and each group will go on the market with nice ardour and do their utmost to signify their nations with pleasure,” mentioned Erasmus.
“There have been surprises within the match earlier than, so we’ll should be up mentally and bodily for each match.”
Erasmus added: “Italy could also be ranked tenth on this planet, however they confirmed us what they’re able to once they hit their straps earlier this season, regardless that the scorelines might not have mirrored that.
“Georgia and Romania are additionally extraordinarily bodily and passionate groups, and we’ve confronted them earlier than, so we all know how robust they are often on the day if we give them area and alternatives to play to their potential.”
Hosts Australia have been drawn in Pool A with New Zealand, Chile, and Hong Kong China; whereas Pool C options Argentina, Fiji, Spain, and Canada.
Eire have been drawn in Pool D with Scotland, Uruguay and Portugal; Pool E will see France, Japan, 2031 RWC hosts the USA, and Samoa being pitted towards each other’ whereas England, Wales, Tonga, and Zimbabwe will battle it out in Pool F.
With the variety of taking part groups growing from 20 to 24 and 52 matches taking part in out within the world extravaganza, the match will now function six swimming pools versus 4, with the winners of Pool A, B, C, and D taking up the 4 finest third-placed groups, whereas the winners of Pool E and F will face the runners-up from Pool B and D. The runners-up in Pool A and C, in flip, will meet the second-placed groups from Pool E and F within the Spherical of 16.
The draw was hosted in Australia on Wednesday and was primarily based on the world rankings for the 2025 season, which decided the location of the 24 groups into 4 bands of six for the draw.
The extravaganza shall be hosted from 1 October to 13 November 2027 throughout seven cities in Australia – Adelaide, Brisbane, Melbourne, Newcastle, Sydney, and Townsville – with the matchday schedule set to be introduced on Tuesday, 3 February 2026.
Rugby followers could have a possibility to safe seats throughout an unique two-week presale window beginning on 18 February 2026.
For extra information and knowledge, together with tips on how to entry tickets within the presale and safe your tickets, go to rugbyworldcup.com/2027.
Rugby World Cup 2027 Swimming pools
Pool A: New Zealand, Australia, Chile, Hong Kong China
Pool B: South Africa, Italy, Georgia, Romania
Pool C: Argentina, Fiji, Spain, Canada
Pool D: Eire, Scotland, Uruguay, Portugal
Pool E: France, Japan, USA, Samoa
Pool F: England, Wales, Tonga, Zimbabwe
Issued by SA Rugby Communications
