Sunday Times

SA in running to host World Cup

- AFP

DESPITE government opposition, South Africa feature among the four candidates to host the 2023 Rugby World Cup, Rugby World announced on Friday.

South Africa — who won the trophy when they previously hosted the global showpiece in 1995 — will contest the race with Ireland, Italy and France.

France hosted the World Cup in 2007 while Ireland hosted games in the 1991 edition.

South Africa Rugby is seeking to host the event despite a government ban on them staging internatio­nal events since early this year because they failed to meet two of 13 racial transforma­tion targets. SAR hope that when the next report on transforma­tion is released they will meet targets and be eligible to host the World Cup

“We are confident that the suspension will be lifted at the next reporting of the EPG (Eminent Persons’ Group, which evaluates racial transforma­tion in sport),” said SAR chief executive Jurie Roux.

Rugby was not alone in being banned for bidding for events as cricket, netball and athletics also failed their criteria.

Rugby World president Bill Beaumont said the four-runner field reflected the increasing appeal of the sport after a hugely successful hosting by England last year.

Chief among the successes at the 2015 renewal were Japan, who beat South Africa in a stunning upset, a timely victory given they host the 2019 World Cup.

“We are delighted by the strong level of serious interest from unions and government­s, which truly underscore­s the enormous hosting appeal of Rugby World Cup as a low-investment, low-risk, high-return economic, social and sporting driver,” said Beaumont.

“Great events are built on strong partnershi­ps and this process represents a major milestone in the planning and preparatio­n phase for unions and supporting government agencies who intend to bid for Rugby World Cup 2023.”

The four candidates will be assessed to see if they meet the criteria laid out by World Rugby.

The winner will be named in November 2017. —

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