Boks drawn against Italy, Georgia and Romania for 2027 World Cup

December 3, 2025 59

The Springboks have been pitted against Italy, Georgia and Romania in Pool B for the 2027 Rugby World Cup following Wednesday’s draw in Sydney, Australia.

Italy, who faced the Boks in three Tests this year, are expected to offer the toughest pool challenge, while Georgia and Romania will bring the trademark physicality of Eastern European rugby teams.

The Springboks became the second team after New Zealand to retain the William Webb Ellis Trophy with their 12-11 victory over the All Blacks in the last final in Paris in 2023.

That result also gave South Africa the most Rugby World Cup victories, with four to New Zealand’s three, Australia’s two and England’s one.

Erasmus’s side will now chase history as the first team to win three consecutive World Cups.

Coach Rassie Erasmus’s Boks will be aiming to become the first team to win three World Cups in succession.

Pool stages = Locked 🔒#RWC2027Draw | #RWC2027 pic.twitter.com/LhHC20tELI

— Rugby World Cup (@rugbyworldcup) December 3, 2025

Erasmus said they were satisfied with the draw but warned against complacency.

“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,” said Erasmus. “There have been surprises in the tournament before, so we’ll need to be up mentally and physically for every match.”

Rassie Erasmus on RWC pool draw: “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” – more here: https://t.co/utNABq3C1w 🗣#Springboks… pic.twitter.com/tMrQJ9EGjW

— Springboks (@Springboks) December 3, 2025

The tournament will be staged in Australia from 1 October to 13 November 2027. The expanded 24-team format — up from 20 in 2023 — introduces six pools of four and a new last-16 knockout stage.