While rugby fans across the globe are already buzzing about Australia hosting the 2027 Rugby World Cup and the USA stepping in for 2031, there’s a different mood back in South Africa.
Despite having a rich rugby heritage and plenty of passion for the sport, it looks like the country is stepping away from the spotlight—at least when it comes to hosting future tournaments.
The idea of bringing the Rugby World Cup back to South African soil in 2035 or even 2039 is quickly fading, as the challenges tied to such a massive event begin to outweigh the potential benefits.
Spain, Saudi Arabia, and the Gulf States Enter the Race
Although South Africa has shown interest in the past, the upcoming Rugby World Cups are already shaping up to be highly competitive bidding grounds.
Spain is reportedly in a good position for 2035, but heavyweight players like Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and the UAE are also eyeing the prize.
With that kind of financial muscle behind them, these Gulf countries are more than capable of swaying the decision in their favor. And for South Africa, that’s a major red flag.
It’s one of the reasons SA Rugby doesn’t believe it makes financial sense to throw their hat back in the ring.
A History of Missed Opportunities
It’s not the first time South Africa has tried—and failed—to host rugby’s biggest tournament.
The country previously submitted bids for the 2011, 2015, 2019, and 2023 editions, all of which were unsuccessful.
The 2023 bid was especially painful, as France ended up winning the rights despite an earlier recommendation pointing to South Africa as the preferred host.
Behind-the-scenes lobbying and a controversial last-minute reversal left SA Rugby understandably wary of investing again in a lengthy, costly bidding process.
Government Support Isn’t a Guarantee
There’s been some recent buzz that the South African government might still be open to backing a bid for 2035, but not everyone is on the same page.
Hosting a World Cup requires significant financial guarantees and a lot of infrastructure readiness—especially when it comes to stadiums and security.
And while the government has supported big sporting events in the past, the economic strain of committing to a project of this scale could prove too much, especially under current conditions.
SA Rugby President Says It’s Not Worth the Pressure
Mark Alexander, president of SA Rugby, is making his position clear: the country simply can’t afford it right now.
In a candid interview, he explained that the reality on the ground is far from ideal.
Several stadiums are in disrepair, and hosting such a massive event would require serious upgrades—costing millions, if not billions.
“We’re not just talking about a sports tournament,” he said. “There are so many moving parts that have to come together.
We’re a third-world country. Our economy isn’t strong enough to take this on right now.”
Prioritizing National Needs Over Global Glory
Alexander went on to stress that, as much as South Africans love rugby, hosting the World Cup again just isn’t a responsible move.
“Our members would be thrilled to bring it here again,” he said, “but it would put undue pressure on the government and the people. It’s just not fair.”
He acknowledged the power of sport in bringing people together and boosting morale, but insisted that now isn’t the right time to chase that dream.
“There are more urgent priorities. We have to think about what the country truly needs right now—not just what we want.”
