South Africa, Zimbabwe learn 2027 Rugby World Cup opponents as pools confirmed
For the first time, the Men's Rugby World Cup features 24 teams competing across six pools of four in an expanded format designed to break down barriers and make the game more accessible to fans around the world.
South Africa and Zimbabwe, Africa's only representatives at the 2027 Men's Rugby World Cup, have learned their opponents after World Rugby on Wednesday confirmed the six pools for the expanded 24-team tournament in Australia.
The Springboks, the reigning world champions, were drawn in Pool B alongside Italy, Georgia and Romania as they begin the journey towards a possible fifth world rugby title. Should they win the tournament, scheduled for October 1 to November 13, 2027, they will become the only team to clinch three consecutive Rugby World Cup titles.
On the other hand, Zimbabwe, making a long-awaited return to the global stage after a 35-year absence, landed in Pool F where they will face England, Wales and Tonga. The Sables qualified for the tournament in July after beating Namibia in the final of the Rugby Africa Cup 2025, held in Uganda.
Teams were seeded into four bands based on world rankings at the time of the draw. Pool A features hosts Australia, New Zealand, Chile and Hong Kong China, while Pool C brings together Argentina, Fiji, Spain and Canada.
Ireland, Scotland, Uruguay and Portugal make up Pool D, while Pool E includes France, Japan, the United States and Samoa.
"For the first time, the Men's Rugby World Cup features 24 teams competing across six pools of four in an expanded format designed to break down barriers and make the game more accessible to fans around the world," World Rugby said in a statement.
Under the new format, the top two teams from each pool will advance to the round of 16, joined by the four best third-placed teams across all pools. The winners of Pools A, B, C and D will play against one of the third-placed teams.
Meanwhile, the winners of Pools E and F will face the runners-up from Pools D and B, while the runners-up in Pools A and C will take on the runners-up from Pools E and F.
"With the pools now confirmed, teams and fans can begin planning their Men's Rugby World Cup 2027 journey. The next major milestone will be the announcement of the match schedule on Tuesday, February 3, 2026," World Rugby said.
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