The Springboks’ bid to make World Cup history is now just a little over a year away.
The Boks begin the defence of their back-to-back crown on 3 October 2027 against Italy at the Adelaide Oval. But what adds extra significance to this one is that Rassie Erasmus’ side is chasing an unprecedented third successive title.
The Boks enter the final year of their title defence having further underlined their status as the world’s top-ranked side with a 3-1 series victory over the All Blacks.
South Africa’s four World Cup titles are already more than any other nation, but Erasmus’ side now has the opportunity to achieve something no team has done before.
The Boks have been drawn in Pool B alongside Italy, Georgia and Romania. Erasmus knows the pool stage will demand full focus, despite South Africa’s status as defending champions.
“There have been surprises in the tournament before, so we’ll need to be up mentally and physically for every match,” he said.
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All Blacks captain Scott Barrett also highlighted the challenge facing the leading nations, with the draw potentially pitting themselves and the Boks against each other at the quarter-final stage.
“Along the way you’re going to play potentially No 1, 2 and 3 in the world, and it might not be in the final,” Barrett said. “That’s the beauty of the World Cup. You’re going to have to peak at the right time.”
The 11th edition of the global showpiece will be the biggest yet, with a record 24 teams competing across six weeks and 52 matches in seven Australian cities.
The All Blacks are in Pool A with Australia, Chile and World Cup debutants Hong Kong, while Ireland headline Pool D alongside Scotland, Uruguay and Portugal. France are in Pool E with Japan, the USA and Samoa, while England face Wales, Tonga and Zimbabwe in Pool F.
The Wallabies will open the tournament on 1 October against Hong Kong in Perth.
The 2027 tournament will also introduce a new format, with the 24 teams divided into six pools of four rather than the traditional four pools of five. The pool phase concludes with a tournament-first Super Sunday on 17 October, featuring five matches in one day.
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A round of 16 will then be played in Brisbane, Melbourne, Perth and Sydney, with the six pool winners, six runners-up and four best third-placed teams progressing.
Sydney and Brisbane will host the quarter-finals before the 82,000-capacity Stadium Australia stages both semi-finals and the 13 November final.
– AFP
Photo: Michael Franken Photography
The post Boks’ three-peat campaign one year away appeared first on SA Rugby magazine.
The Springboks’ bid to make World Cup history is now just a little over a year away.
The post Boks’ three-peat campaign one year away appeared first on SA Rugby magazine. Read More
