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 1." Yugoslavia was banned from qualification process due to the political situation in the country at the time. "Spain and Portugal qualify for Round 2." "Netherlands and Czech Republic qualify for Round 2." "Russia qualify for Round 2." "Germany qualify for Round 2." "Wales qualify for Round 3." "Italy qualify for Round 3." "Romania qualify for Round 3." "Wales, Italy and Romania qualify for RWC 1995 as Europe 1, Europe 2 and Europe 3, respectively." ---- 1995 Rugby World Cup – European qualification For the 1995 Rugby World Cup qualifiers, the European Federation was allocated three places in the final