The four-time champion Springboks can even play Georgia and Romania in Pool B on the six-week showpiece from October 1-November 13 that includes a bumper 24 groups and 52 video games.
Rassie Erasmus’s all-conquering aspect are favourites to win a 3rd straight title after an distinctive 2025.
They accomplished an Autumn Nations Series clear sweep after retaining their Rugby Championship crown, taking an eight-match unbeaten streak into the brand new 12 months.
South Africa and New Zealand are on a collision course for a mouth-watering quarter-final match-up ought to they each win their teams as anticipated.
But Erasmus warned towards complacency.
“There have been surprises in the tournament before, so we’ll need to be up mentally and physically for every match,” he mentioned, maybe referring to the Springboks’ shock 34-32 pool stage defeat to Japan in 2015.
“Italy may be ranked 10th in the world, but they showed us what they are capable of when they hit their straps earlier this season,” he added in regards to the Azzurri’s battling show in a 32-14 defeat to the world champions final month.
Scott Robertson’s All Blacks wish to halt the Springboks’ march and raise their fourth title and first since 2015 after being edged 12-11 within the 2023 closing in France.
They face the struggling Wallabies in Pool A together with Chile and debutants Hong Kong, a frightening prospect for his or her opponents with New Zealand solely dropping one pool recreation in 10 earlier World Cups.
Australia are ranked exterior the world’s prime six and missed a prime seeding, so have been at all times destined to fulfill one of many huge weapons.
Despite being two-time champions, they’re a shadow of their former selves, struggling a primary winless European tour since 1958 this 12 months and a document 10 losses in a season.
Wallabies skipper Harry Wilson mentioned he was undaunted by the prospect of an All Blacks assembly in what’s more likely to be the primary recreation of the event.
“As an Australian you always love to (play) New Zealand and in the opening match of a World Cup, it doesn’t get much better than that,” he mentioned.
“Very exciting, Hong Kong and Chile as well, two up-and-coming rugby nations.”
While the Wallabies as hosts are assured to function within the opening recreation in Perth, the match schedule will solely be introduced on February 3.
Joe Schmidt, the Australia coach who is ready handy over the reins to Les Kiss in mid-2026, hopes they begin towards New Zealand.
“It would immediatly excite players, all the fans… I think it would be a great way to kick it off,” he mentioned. “It’s a trans-Tasman battle, which I think both teams are going to love having.”
Other host cities are Melbourne, Adelaide, Townsville, Newcastle and 2032 Olympics host Brisbane.
‘Change lives’
Third-ranked England, the 2003 champions, are in Pool F and can go up towards native rivals Wales, Tonga and Zimbabwe, who final performed at a World Cup in 1991.
Ireland, who crashed to each South Africa and New Zealand final month, are in Pool D with Scotland, Uruguay and Portugal.
France, three-time runners-up, headline Pool E with Japan, USA and Samoa whereas Argentina are in Pool C and face Fiji, Spain and Canada.
Only 4 groups have received the World Cup — South Africa (4), New Zealand (3), Australia (2) and England (1) — and there’s a new search for the 2027 model with 24 sides in competition, up from 20.
For the primary time, a spherical of 16 will likely be performed, with the highest two in every pool plus the 4 finest third-placed groups reaching the knockout part.
“I couldn’t be more excited,” mentioned World Rugby chief Brett Robinson.
“World Rugby are all about creating iconic events that unite rugby.”
Originally revealed on France24