The 2027 Rugby World Cup pool draw has handed South Africa a Pool B assignment that, on paper, looks navigable — but Rassie Erasmus and the Springboks will not be taking anything for granted as they chase an unprecedented third consecutive World Cup title.
Springboks’ 2027 Rugby World Cup Pool B draw confirmed
World Rugby conducted the draw in Australia on Wednesday morning, splitting all 24 competing nations into four ranking-based bands before randomly assigning them across six pools. South Africa land alongside Italy, Georgia and Romania in Pool B. The tournament itself runs from 1 October to 13 November 2027, spread across seven venues throughout Australia. Notably, the Springboks have history with every single one of those opponents at previous World Cups — Romania in 1995 and 1999, Georgia back in 2003, and Italy as recently as 2019.
For context on what the host nation faces, Australia draw New Zealand in Pool A, setting up a blockbuster clash at the 82,000-capacity Accor Stadium before the knockout rounds even begin.
Full pool breakdown ahead of RWC 2027
Here is how the six pools shape up across the board:
Pool A: New Zealand, Australia, Chile, Hong Kong China
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
Furthermore, the wider picture throws up some mouth-watering match-ups. Ireland and Scotland collide in Pool D, while England and Wales find themselves locked together in Pool F. Nevertheless, all eyes will inevitably drift back to South Africa. Erasmus has built a machine that devours opposition, and with three World Cup crowns in their sights, the Springboks will treat every pool game as a final. Italy have grown considerably as a rugby force in recent years, so do not sleep on that fixture. Georgia and Romania will scrap for every inch, too. This pool has no pushovers — just varying degrees of danger.