Share

Four nations in 2023 RWC bid race

Cape Town - The South African Rugby Union (SARU) was ready to prepare a compelling bid to host the 2023 Rugby World Cup, said Jurie Roux, SARU CEO, on Friday following confirmation that four nations had expressed an interest to host the tournament.

Tournament owner, World Rugby, announced that France, Ireland and Italy as well as South Africa had confirmed their interest by the deadline of June 15. A fifth country, USA, which had expressed interest in lodging a bid, had decided not to proceed.

“Last week the 1995 Springbok Rugby World Cup squad regathered to celebrate their momentous victory 20 years ago,” said Roux. “There was unprecedented media interest in the occasion and we were reminded what a profound effect the tournament had on this country and the enthusiasm with which this country opened its arms to rugby.

“That hunger has been sharpened over the years with a whole generation having grown up envying the experience of their parents. The South African Rugby Union would very much like to give them the opportunity to share our passion for rugby with the rest of the world, 28 years on from that famous day.”

World Rugby predicts that the 2023 tournament will boost the hosting nation’s economy by as much as $2.6bn (R31bn) while tournament costs are modest. From 2003 to 2015 the tournament had cost the host nation between $45m and $155m (R552m to R1.9bn) compared to the expense of hosting an event such as the FIFA World Cup which, in 2014, cost $3.1bn (R38bn).

 World Rugby chairperson Bernard Lapasset said: “We are delighted with the strong level of Rugby World Cup 2023 hosting interest from unions and governments, which highlights the enormous appeal of Rugby World Cup as a low-risk, high-return economic, social and sporting driver. We look forward to further detailed dialogue as the process progresses.”

The tender process will culminate in the selection of the 2023 host in May 2017.

Rugby World Cup Tournament Director Alan Gilpin said: “The candidate hosts now have a year to benefit from detailed knowledge-sharing and preparation, including digesting the detailed tender requirements and observing Rugby World Cup 2015 hosting, before the confirmation to tender deadline of June 2016.

“The announcement of the Rugby World Cup 2023 host in May 2017 will also provide the successful union with six years to prepare for the delivery of the event and maximise the benefits of observing the delivery of Japan 2019, the first Rugby World Cup to be hosted in Asia.”

We live in a world where facts and fiction get blurred
Who we choose to trust can have a profound impact on our lives. Join thousands of devoted South Africans who look to News24 to bring them news they can trust every day. As we celebrate 25 years, become a News24 subscriber as we strive to keep you informed, inspired and empowered.
Join News24 today
heading
description
username
Show Comments ()
Voting Booth
Should Siya Kolisi keep the captaincy as the Springboks build towards their World Cup title defence in 2027?
Please select an option Oops! Something went wrong, please try again later.
Results
Yes! Siya will only be 36 at the next World Cup. He can make it!
25% - 1273 votes
No! I think the smart thing to do is start again with a younger skipper ...
29% - 1472 votes
I'd keep Siya captain for now, but look to have someone else for 2027.
45% - 2251 votes
Vote
Editorial feedback and complaints

Contact the public editor with feedback for our journalists, complaints, queries or suggestions about articles on News24.

LEARN MORE