South Africa were drawn into Pool B for the 2027 Rugby World Cup in Australia. The hosts have to face New Zealand in pool A.
South Africa will play against Italy, Georgia and Romania in their 2027 Rugby World Cup pool, as the defending champions hope to become the first nation to win three global showpieces in a row.
Italy are ranked 10th in the world and have already lost to the Springboks three times this year. In 11 clashes, Italy only won one. They won their 2016 Test 20-18 but lost their next six matches against South Africa.
Georgia, ranked 13th, lost 55-10 when they played the Boks at Mbombela Stadium in Gqeberha in July.
Romania are ranked 22 in the world and last played the Springboks in the 2023 Rugby World Cup, losing 76-0 in Bordeaux. Before that, they played South Africa in the 1995 World Cup, losing 21-8 in Cape Town.
The top two teams from each pool and the four best third-place finishers progress into the round of 16.
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World Cup pools
Pool A
Australia
New Zealand
Chile
Hong Kong China
Pool B
South Africa
Italy
Georgia
Romania
Pool C
Argentina
Fiji
Spain
Canada
Pool D
Ireland
Scotland
Uruguay
Portugal
Pool E
France
Japan
USA
Samoa
Pool F
England
Wales
Tonga
Zimbabwe
World Cup facts
The Springboks lifted the trophy in 1995, 2007, 2019 and 2023. Their four titles are more than any other nation’s, with New Zealand one behind.
Twenty-four teams take part in the tournament from 1 October to 13 November 2027 – more than ever before.
Australia hosts the tournament for the third time. Adelaide, Brisbane, Melbourne, Newcastle, Perth, Sydney and Townsville are the host cities.
This is the first time since Zimbabwe qualified since 1991.
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