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
1995 Rugby World Cup – European qualification 1995 Rugby World Cup – European qualification For the 1995 Rugby World Cup qualifiers, the European Federation was allocated three places in the final tournament. This was in addition to the four places granted to England, France, Ireland and Scotland based on their results from 1991. Twenty teams played in the European qualifiers that were held over three stages in 1993 and 1994. , and were the top three sides and secured their places as Europe 1, Europe 2 and Europe 3, respectively, for RWC 95. "Switzerland qualify for Round 1." Luxembourg withdrew from the group. "Israel qualify for Round