Rugby union in South Africa Rugby union in South Africa Rugby union in South Africa is a very popular team sport, along with cricket and football, and is widely played all over the country. The National team is among the strongest in the world and has been ranked in the top seven of the World Rugby Rankings since its inception in 2003. The country hosted and won the 1995 Rugby World Cup, and won again the 2007 tournament in France. Given South Africa's history, as with much else in South Africa, the organisation and playing of rugby has been entangled with politics, and racial politics
2027 Rugby World Cup the first tournament in 1987. Ireland has previously joint-hosted the 1991 and 1999 Rugby World Cups with England, France, Wales and Scotland. Ireland also bid unsuccessfully to host the 2023 Rugby World Cup, losing to France. Following the decision to host the 2018 Rugby World Cup Sevens in San Francisco, United States World Rugby chief executive Brett Gosper encouraged a 2027 bid from the United States. Japan and France will host the 2019 and 2023 tournaments one year prior to the 2020 and 2024 Summer Olympics respectively. If the United States were to host the 2027 Rugby World Cup it