The South African Rugby Union (SARU) on Wednesday confirmed its interest in bidding for the 2023 Rugby World Cup, following the announcement of the tender process by World Rugby.
Jurie Roux, CEO of SARU, reaffirmed the union’s commitment to bring the tournament back to South Africa, on the proviso of the approval of SASCOC – SA’s national Olympic Committee – and support of national government.
“We definitely expect to be bidding to host the 2023 Rugby World Cup – as we have for the past 3 tournaments,” said Roux.
“By the time the tournament comes round it will be 28 years since Nelson Mandela handed the trophy to Francois Pienaar and I believe that South Africa is hungry to once again host rugby’s greatest occasion.
“The 1995 Rugby World Cup and the 2010 FIFA World Cup were magnificent occasions for our nation and for the respective sports and the prospect of being able to repeat those unforgettable occasions is very exciting.
“Bidding will mean a lot of hard work and I am sure the competition will be fierce but this country has a unique experience to offer the game’s travelling supporters.”
World Rugby announced the key dates for bidding would be:
- 14 May 2015 – Window opens for unions to submit Expressions of Interest
- 15 June 2015 – Expression of Interest period ends
- May 2016 – Tender documentation released
- June 2016 – Deadline for confirmation of intention to tender
- May 2017 – Announcement of 2023 Rugby World Cup host
World Rugby Chairman Bernard Lapasset said: “Rugby World Cup is one of the world’s most recognisable and popular major sports events. With a 6-week global shop window, upwards of 500,000 international visitors, multiple sporting, social and tourism benefits, economic benefits of up to £2 billion (R 36bn) and minimal infrastructure overlay, it is also an attractive event for potential hosts.
“Today’s announcement is great news for Rugby World Cup and for our member unions.
The host selection process gives unions a clear timetable to consult with relevant stakeholders, including national and regional government, deliver feasibility studies and hone their bids to host an event that truly delivers the platform to promote and grow rugby around the world.”
Italy have announced that they would also bid to host the 2023 World Cup after South Africa expressed their interest in hosting the global showpiece.
The Italians will face competition form Ireland as while as South Africa and the United States who are expected to bid.
Governing body World Rugby will launch its expression of interest phase for countries aiming to stage the 2023 tournament in May but a final decision is not due until 2017.
England hosts this year’s edition, which runs from 18 September to 31 October, with Japan staging it in 2019.
Italian Rugby Federation (FIR) president Alfredo Gavazzi said: “I am sure that Italian rugby has everything you need to organise a memorable Rugby World Cup and that whole movement, in the next two years, will work to ensure that this dream can become a reality.”
Italy has never hosted the World Cup, while Ireland staged games in 1991 and 1999 without being the principal hosts.
We have made a serious effort to bid for the 2011, 2015 and 2019 world cup. and now 2023?
What is the total cost of these bidding process(es)? or can everyone bid as much as they want to?
I see since 2007 Italy, Japan and South Africa have been the usual bidders… seems like they will try till they get it… but with the USA joining the fray, it could be some tough competition.
with world cups since 1987: NZ, GB, SA, GB, AUS, France, NZ, England, Japan… it seems also to be routinely that Italy will get it next, unless the IRB breaks the status quo of Europe hosting the world cup every 8 years… and potentially losing out on a lot of money by giving it to Africa. 2027 could also be a good time to go to America, so we may have to wait another 15 years.
Credit to SARU for trying though, I really hope we get it 😀
@ MacroBull:
Out of all those countries, SA has the most going for them.
We have the infrastructure and stadiums, our rand is worth shit, so foreign supporters can have a royal time after converting their currency.
2003 would have been Aus and NZ co-hosting, but due to the debacle about advertising rights, NZ withdrew. Maybe that’s why they were given 2011.
There is no way Italy can host, they will have to allot games to other European cities as well.
Even when it’s in “Eng”, games are played in Wales, Scotland and Ireland.
It’s actually an European WC, the “host country” just gets the cream of the crop by having the opening ceremony, opening match, closing ceremony and final.
@ nortie:
The thing is Europe has the infrustructure and stadiums as well, as shit as our rand is it will draw nowhere nearly as much European spectators.
I am just saying that Europe hosts the WC every 8 years, inbetween it goes to other markets, though they simply don’t compare to the influence of Europe as well as the advertising that goes into it.
we have been outbid in the last three world cups, the thing that we have going for us is that we must be gettign damn irritating with all these bids they will just have to give it to us… well then same goes for Italy(opening ceremony, first match closing ceremony and grand final).
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