SA Rugby CEO Rian Oberholzer says World Rugby can’t be expected to bring the World Cup back to South Africa.
Despite the Springboks being four-time champions and South Africa having staged a successful tournament in 1995, Oberholzer admits economics now outweigh history when it comes to hosting rights.
Australia will stage the 2027 tournament, with the USA set to host in 2031, as World Rugby targets new and lucrative markets.
The bidding process for the 2035 edition is already under way, with Spain, Italy, Japan and the Middle East (Qatar, Saudi Arabia, UAE) all in contention. A final decision is expected in 2027.
Oberholzer concedes that neither South Africa nor New Zealand can compete financially with wealthier regions.
“It’s correct to say that it is a challenge for us going forward.
“We must remember that the World Cup is the only revenue stream for World Rugby. It must fund the whole rugby ecosystem and all the members get some funding out of a World Cup.
“So, World Rugby must take the World Cup to where they can make the most money. And to go where they will get the most support from local and national government.”
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Oberholzer added that the commercial gap is simply too wide.
“If you compare us to Europe, for example, I cannot see that the money will ever be the same generated out of South Africa than what it will generate out of Europe or in future maybe somewhere in the Middle East.
“But it’s a World Rugby decision, not an SA Rugby decision. World Rugby will drive World Cups to where they believe they can make the most money.
“We all have to understand that and you can’t complain and ask for a World Cup in your country, make less money, and then want a bigger slice of the cake when it comes to the annual grant that you get from World Rugby.
“It is about income generation to feed the whole rugby system in World Rugby.”
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Oberholzer believes the days of rotational hosting are gone.
“I think we have moved away from that philosophy – that everybody must get an equal chance to host a World Cup. New Zealand and South Africa will not make the money out of a World Cup that World Rugby needs.
“I don’t think it is a negative on us, it is more about what is important for the best interests of World Rugby.”
Photo: Ashley Vlotman/Gallo Images
The post Oberholzer: SA won’t host RWC again appeared first on SA Rugby magazine.
SA Rugby CEO Rian Oberholzer says World Rugby can’t be expected to bring the World Cup back to South Africa.
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