SA Unlikely to Host Rugby World Cup Amid Financial Issues

(The Post News)– South Africa’s hopes of hosting another Rugby World Cup appear increasingly unlikely, with financial constraints putting the country out of contention for future tournaments.

Despite being the most successful team in the competition’s history with four titles, the Springboks have only hosted the event once – in 1995. While the country has consistently expressed interest in bringing the tournament back, it has repeatedly been overlooked.

The next editions of the men’s and women’s Rugby World Cups will take place in Australia and the United States, respectively. Discussions are currently underway for the 2035 and 2039 events, but South Africa is not among the nations being considered.

A prominent rugby executive told Rapport that South Africa is no longer financially competitive when it comes to hosting the tournament. He noted that World Rugby relies heavily on revenue generated by the World Cup, and therefore tends to favour host nations capable of delivering strong financial returns.

In recent developments, Spain has emerged as a possible host for the 2035 men’s tournament, with suggestions that iconic venues such as Camp Nou and the Santiago Bernabéu could be used. The global appeal of these stadiums may be a decisive factor in winning the bid. Additionally, a joint bid from Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, and Qatar is reportedly under consideration for either 2035 or 2039.

World Rugby CEO Alan Gilpin told Sports Mail that strategic decisions have already been made to host men’s and women’s tournaments in Australia and the USA. He indicated that future editions may follow a regional rotation, with discussions underway to potentially return the event to Europe in 2035 and 2037.

Gilpin also mentioned that Spain’s bid is being supported by both the Spanish government and La Liga, drawing comparisons to past arrangements in England, where football clubs accommodated the tournament by adjusting fixture schedules. With global bids gaining momentum and commercial interests taking precedence, the prospect of the Rugby World Cup returning to South Africa seems increasingly remote.