World Rugby has announced that the global rugby governing body received an independent recommendation that South Africa is the preferred bidder for RWC23.
South Africa has received a massive boost in the bid to host the Rugby World Cup 2023. This news has given many hope that we will be able to host yet another stellar World Cup as we did in 1994.
A report has confirmed that South Africa is the preferred bidder over France and Ireland because we are “able to fulfil the agreed criteria laid out by World Rugby to deliver a successful and profitable tournament.”
“Based on the evaluation contained in this report, the candidate that scored the highest marks and is therefore deemed to be the optimal candidate to host Rugby World Cup 2023 is South Africa,”
“It is the recommendation of the RWCL board of directors to World Rugby Council that South Africa should be awarded the right to host Rugby World Cup 2023.”
According to Sport24, South Africa will have one final hurdle to jump before everything is confirmed. The World Rugby Council will vote in London on the 15th of November where all three candidates will appear on the ballot paper.
World Rugby has stressed to its members that recommendation of the evaluation committee should be taken into consideration. There are 39 votes at stake with a simple majority required to determine the eventual host nation. The candidate nations do not have a vote.
Mark Alexander, the president of SA Rugby has thanked the South African government for their dedication and involvement in the application process.
“The support of Cabinet and the presence of the Deputy President, Mr Cyril Ramaphosa, in company with the Minister of Sport and Recreation, Mr Thulas Nxesi, at the presentations in London last month was critical” – Mark Alexander
South Africa’s bid was phenomenal, if you missed our bid video you can watch it here.
“I would like to congratulate South Africa on a superb bid and all the bid teams for their dedication and professionalism throughout the process to date.” – Bill Beaumont, World Rugby and Rugby World Cup Limited chairperson