SA won’t easily host a Rugby World Cup again — report

South Africa won’t easily host a Rugby World Cup tournament again, according to a prominent rugby boss who spoke to Afrikaans Sunday publication Rapport.

The last, and only, time South Africa hosted the Rugby World Cup was in 1995. The Springboks won that tournament at the first time of asking.

The Boks also won the World Cup in France in 2007 and then most recently won in 2019 and 2023. The Springboks are the first team to win four World Cup titles.

South Africa have bid to host tournaments in the past, but not been successful.

Europe and Middle East

According to Rapport, South Africa does not have the financial clout to stage a World Cup.

The rugby boss Rapport spoke to says World Rugby’s only genuine money spinner is the World Cup, which is held every four years, and for that reason they will take the tournament to where they can make the most money.

Europe remains a big drawcard as does the money-rich Middle East. Football has also moved into new territories in recent times, including staging their World Cup in Qatar in 2022.

The next Rugby World Cup will take place in Australia in 2027, while America will host the 2031 tournament.

According to Rapport‘s source, the 2035 tournament could be held in a country such as Spain, because of their big stadiums, out of which the likes of football giants Real Madrid and Barcelona play.

For the full story in Rapport click here.