2023 Rugby World Cup bids following four nations by the deadline of 15 June 2015: After hosting the 2019 Rugby World Cup in Japan, World Rugby may look to host the tournament in the sports' 'heartlands', leaving South Africa and Ireland as favourites. South Africa was considered one of the frontrunners to host the 2023 competition, having hosted the 1995 tournament and bid unsuccessfully for the right to host the 2011, 2015, and 2019 tournaments. In April 2016 the South African government banned its own rugby union from bidding to stage the 2023 World Cup over its failure to provide enough opportunities for black players.
Portugal at the Rugby World Cup hosted any World Cup games. Portugal at the Rugby World Cup The record of Portugal at the Rugby World Cup is currently limited to a single presence in the 2007 Rugby World Cup, the tournament's sixth edition. Portugal was the last team to qualify, via a 24–23 aggregate victory over Uruguay, and was allocated to Group C along with heavy favorites New Zealand (All Blacks), Scotland, Italy and Romania. The team lost all four matches but succeeded in scoring points and one try in every match, and was able to gain a bonus point on the final game against Romania.