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South Africa will kick off their bid for an unprecedented Rugby World Cup three-peat in a challenging Pool B, having been drawn alongside Italy, Georgia, and Romania for the 2027 tournament in Australia, Cape {town} Etc reports.

The draw, confirmed on Wednesday, sets the stage for the largest Rugby World Cup in history, with 24 nations competing across six pools for the first time.

The Springboks, winners in 1995, 2007, 2019 and 2023, are firm favourites to continue their dominance, but the expanded format, with a round of 16 introduced and some third-placed sides advancing, means that no team can afford to take its foot off the gas. South Africa’s path to a third consecutive title will demand focus from the opening whistle against Italy, a side that has shown flashes of brilliance on the global stage.

Georgia and Romania, both in the lower bands, could provide tricky encounters, particularly given the unpredictability of the new 24-team format. Experts say South Africa’s disciplined forward pack and clinical backline give them a clear edge, but early slip-ups could jeopardise the Springboks’ title defence.

Other headline matchups from the draw include England facing Wales in a mouth-watering Pool F clash, Ireland taking on Scotland in Pool D, and a potential curtain-raiser in Australia featuring New Zealand against the Wallabies. France, meanwhile, appear to have a relatively favourable draw in Pool E, with Japan, the USA, and Samoa as their opposition.

The 2027 World Cup promises to be a spectacle, with South Africa aiming to cement their place in history as the first nation to win three consecutive tournaments. With only two years to go, the Springboks will be looking to refine their squad, sharpen strategies, and ensure they are battle-ready for every high-stakes matchup in Pool B and beyond.

Pool A

  • New Zealand

  • Australia

  • Chile

  • Hong Kong

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

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Picture: Gallo Images

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