Springboks: Rassie Erasmus reveals what he expects from 2027 Rugby World Cup pool rivals
Springboks head coach Rassie Erasmus and the Webb Ellis Cup (inset).
Springboks head coach Rassie Erasmus is satisfied with the pool draw for the 2027 Rugby World Cup in Australia, which was held in Sydney on Wednesday.
The 2019 and 2023 world champions, who are determined to become the first nation to lift the Webb Ellis Cup for the third successive time, were drawn in Pool B alongside Italy, Georgia, and Romania.
The Springboks have faced all three of their pool opponents in previous editions of the Rugby World Cups – Romania in 1995, 1999 and 2023, Georgia in 2003, and Italy in 2019.
The Rugby World Cup has expanded from 20 participating countries to 24, which means the participating teams were split into four bands according to their world rankings, with the teams randomly selected into the six pools.
The Springboks have been drawn with Italy, Georgia, and Romania for the pool stages of the 2027 Rugby World Cup in Australia, where they will be aiming for an unprecedented third consecutive title after lifting the Webb Ellis Cup in Japan in 2019 and France in 2023.
Springboks not strangers to pool rivals
The Boks have faced all three their pool opponents in Rugby World Cups before – Romania in 1995 and 1999, Georgia in 2003, and Italy in 2019.
The draw was done in Australia on Wednesday morning (SA time), with the 24 participating teams split into four bands according to their world rankings, with the teams randomly selected into the six pools.
Erasmus said he is happy with the pool draw as the Boks continue to put the building blocks in place to stake a claim for a possible third Rugby World Cup title in a row.
“We are pleased with the pool we have been drawn in, but this is a World Cup, and every team will go out there with great passion and do their utmost to represent their nations with pride,” he said.
“There have been surprises in the tournament before, so we’ll need to be up mentally and physically for every match.”
Although the Boks are one of the traditional heavyweights of the international arena and currently the top-ranked team in World Rugby’s official rankings, Erasmus is not underestimating his pool rivals
“Italy may be ranked 10th in the world, but they showed us what they are capable of when they hit their straps earlier this season, even though the scorelines may not have reflected that.
‘We know how tough they can be on the day’
“Georgia and Romania are also extremely physical and passionate teams, and we’ve faced them before, so we know how tough they can be on the day if we give them space and opportunities to play to their potential.”
Meanwhile, Romania head coach David Gérard has opened up on the prospect of facing the Springboks again during the pool stage of a Rugby World Cup.
“If we prepare to play South Africa as if it’s a dream to play the world champions, it will be a nightmare! We need to prepare every game to be competitive,” he said.
“We have to stop seeing the fact that we are playing them as an achievement. No, an achievement is if you compete with them, because it’s still rugby.
“I’m not here as a tourist; I’m not going to Australia with people who just want to be there and enjoy being on TV. I want Romanian players who have the knowledge to sacrifice themselves for three games.
“If people think Romania will just focus on Georgia and Italy, I think that’s disrespectful to the sport. If we respect rugby, we have to be competitive.”
The full draw for the 2027 Rugby World Cup in Australia:
Pool A: New Zealand, Australia, Hong Kong China, Chile
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