Australia and the United States are likely to host the next two rugby World Cups, with South Africa again being snubbed.
World Rugby announced its preferred bidders for the next two editions of its showcase tournament, with Australia likely to be awarded the 2027 World Cup, and the US hosting in 2031.
France is scheduled to host the tournament in 2023, having last hosted it in 2007.
This will be the third time that Australia hosts the event, having co-hosted the inaugural tournament with New Zealand in 1987, and being the sole host in 2003, when the Wallabies lost in the final to England.
The selection of the US is part of World Rugby’s strategy to expand the game by hosting events such as the World Cup in non-traditional markets, such as Japan, which hosted the 2019 World Cup.
South Africa will see this as another snub, having lost out to France to host the 2023 tournament, and last having hosted it in 1995.
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