SA Scores Favourable RWC Pool But Could Face NZ in QF

The Springboks have been drawn in a pool with Georgia, Italy, and Romania for the 2027 Rugby World Cup (RWC).

The Springboks will be in Pool B along with their three European opponents.

All the teams are currently ranked much lower than the Springboks, who are number one in the world. Italy is ranked 10th, Georgia 13th, and Romania 22nd. Italy has only beaten the Springboks once and neither of the two other teams has ever beaten South Africa.

New Zealand, whom the Springboks beat in the 2023 Rugby World Cup final, are in Pool A, along with hosts Australia. The only team that will be making its debut in the tournament, Hong Kong, is also in this pool.

The only other African side in the tournament is Zimbabwe. Playing its first Rugby World Cup since 1991, it is in Pool F, along with 2003 champions England, as well as Wales and Tonga.

The full pools are as follows:

Pool A: New Zealand, Australia, Hong Kong, Chile

Pool B: South Africa, Italy, Georgia, Romania

Pool C: Argentina, Fiji, Spain, Canada

Pool D: Ireland, Scotland, Uruguay, Portugal

Pool E: France, Japan, United States, Samoa

Pool F: England, Wales, Tonga, Zimbabwe

The top two teams in each pool will go through to a knockout round of sixteen, along with the four best third-place teams.

If, as expected, South Africa and New Zealand top their respective groups, and win their round of sixteen matches, the two old foes will meet in the tournament quarterfinals.

The tournament starts in October 2027, with the final scheduled for 13 November 2027.