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Cape Town - Former Springbok flyhalf Joel Stransky has lambasted World Rugby after France was named as the host of the 2023 Rugby World Cup.
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The decision came as a shock after South Africa were recommended as hosts of the tournament following an independent audit last month.
Speaking in the SuperSport studios after the decision was announced, Stransky didn't hold back, calling World Rugby an "old boys club."
"One has to ask the question, why has the vote gone against the recommendation when most of the unions said they would vote with the recommendation? Its bitterly disappointing and quite surprising," said Stransky.
"You can only imagine the lobbying that has gone on behind the scenes and the one thing that it does fix in my mind is that it is an old boys club still making decisions at World Rugby.
"Ultimately, your bid can be as good as you like, but you have to lobby to get those blokes on your side. Which means nothing has really changed, so what is the point of having an independent auditor if you are not going to take the recommendation?"
France won the chance to host the tournament by securing 24 votes to the 15 of South Africa.
