GALLERY | Satellite images of the 12 World Cup stadia

Cape Town - High definition satellite images of the 12 match venues for the 2019 Rugby World Cup in Japan.

The World Cup is set to get under way on Friday, September 20 as hosts Japan take on Russia at Tokyo Stadium.

Kick-off is at 12:45 SA time.

The Springboks are currently based in Kagoshima in preparation for the global showpiece.

Rassie Erasmus' men kick off their World Cup campaign against the All Blacks at Yokohama Stadium on Saturday, September 21 (11:45 SA time).

These images were taken by an Airbus satellite operated by the French National Centre for Space Studies (CNES).

Images: © Cnes 2019, Distribution Airbus Defence and Space

1. Oita Stadium

2. Kamaishi Recovery Memorial Stadium

3. Kobe Misaki Stadium

4. Kumagaya Rugby Stadium

5. Sapporo Dome

6. Tokyo Stadium

7. Hanazono Rugby Stadium

8. Kumamoto Stadium

9. Shizuoka Stadium Ecopa

10. Toyota Stadium

11. Yokohama Stadium

12. Fukuoka Hakatanomori Stadium

Compiled by: Lynn Butler