{"id":64357,"date":"2025-05-22T20:33:04","date_gmt":"2025-05-22T18:33:04","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/mthathaexpress\/draw-for-2027-rugby-world-cup-to-take-place-in-december\/"},"modified":"2025-05-22T20:34:24","modified_gmt":"2025-05-22T18:34:24","slug":"draw-for-2027-rugby-world-cup-to-take-place-in-december","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/mthathaexpress\/draw-for-2027-rugby-world-cup-to-take-place-in-december\/","title":{"rendered":"Draw for 2027 Rugby World Cup to take place in December"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p>The draw for the pool stage of the 2027 Men\u2019s Rugby World Cup in Australia will take place next December, World Rugby confirmed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The tournament will feature 24 teams, rather than 20 as was the case since the 1999 World Cup, divided into six pools of four teams.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Perth will host the opening match and Sydney the final in the event from October 1 to November 13, 2027.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The final qualifying tournament takes place in Dubai from November 8 to 18.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Sixteen teams have qualified so far &#8212; two-time defending champions South Africa, France, New Zealand, Italy, Ireland, Scotland, Wales, Fiji, Australia, England, Argentina, Japan, Georgia, Spain, Portugal, and Romania.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>The draw for the pool stage of the 2027 Men\u2019s Rugby World Cup in Australia will take place next December, World Rugby confirmed. 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