The Rugby World Cup is the sport's premier tournament, first held in 1987 when co-hosts New Zealand and Australia staged the inaugural event, which New Zealand won, defeating France 29 to 9 in the final. Governed by World Rugby (known as the International Rugby Football Board when the tournament began), it is contested every four years among the world's leading national teams; the field has grown from sixteen teams at the earliest tournaments to twenty teams by 1999, and is set to expand again to twenty four teams when Australia hosts in 2027. South Africa is the tournament's most decorated side, having won it four times, ahead of New Zealand's three titles, Australia's two, and England's one.
Facts
Founding Year Founding DateDate of the opening match of the inaugural 1987 tournament, New Zealand defeating Italy 70 to 6 at Eden Park in Auckland. Host HistoryFirst tournament: New Zealand and Australia, 1987; won by New Zealand, defeating France 29 to 9 in the final. 2 Frequency
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Sixteen Teams to Twenty Four
This article records tradition as it has been passed down and reported. Its sources are not yet part of the atlas's verified catalogue.
When New Zealand and Australia co-hosted the first Rugby World Cup in 1987, sixteen teams took part, the same field size that held through the tournament's first three editions. That number only started moving in 1999, when the tournament expanded to twenty teams, the size it has held ever since. The next jump is already scheduled rather than merely proposed: the Rugby World Cup will expand again to twenty four teams when Australia hosts in 2027, half again the size of the sixteen-team field that saw New Zealand beat France 29 to 9 in the first final, governed at the time by a body still called the International Rugby Football Board rather than its current name, World Rugby.
The Only Four Time Champion
This article records tradition as it has been passed down and reported. Its sources are not yet part of the atlas's verified catalogue.
South Africa stands alone at the top of the Rugby World Cup's honours list, the only nation to have won the tournament four times. New Zealand, the inaugural 1987 champion, has won three times since the tournament began; Australia has won twice; England has won once. That single extra title separating South Africa from New Zealand is the entire margin at the top of a competition that has been contested every four years since 1987, across a field that has grown from sixteen teams to twenty, with twenty four scheduled for 2027, meaning South Africa built its record advantage while competing in exactly the same expanding, increasingly difficult field as everyone chasing it.
Rugby World Cup
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Source Vincent Clerc (Wikipedia)
Source Wales National Rugby Union Team (Wikipedia)
Source Will Carling (Wikipedia)
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1. Wikipedia, 1987 Rugby World Cup
WikipediaInfobox: dateto
20 June (30 days)
Introduction
The 1987 Rugby World Cup was the first Rugby World Cup.
View the Source 2. Wikipedia, Rugby World Cup
Wikipedia- History section
- Features: Rugby Union
- Administered By: World Rugby
- Long-Form Articles: Sixteen Teams to Twenty Four
- Long-Form Articles: The Only Four Time Champion
View the Source Wikipedia, Jonah Lomu
Ben Tune (source article)
Competitors Include: Ben Tune, Career sectionQuote, Competitors Include: Ben Tune, Career section
Tune was an important member of the national side that claimed the 1999 Rugby World Cup in Wales
Genevieve Delves (Wikipedia)
Competitors Include: Genevieve Delves, Rugby union careerQuote, Competitors Include: Genevieve Delves, Rugby union career
Delves represented Australia at the 1998 and 2002 Women's Rugby World Cups.
Sonny Bill Williams (Wikipedia)
Competitors Include: Sonny Bill Williams, Rugby World CupQuote, Competitors Include: Sonny Bill Williams, Rugby World Cup
He won 58 caps for New Zealand (the All Blacks), and was part of the teams that won the 2011 and 2015 World Cups.
Sébastien Chabal (Wikipedia)
Competitors Include: Sébastien Chabal, Rugby World CupQuote, Competitors Include: Sébastien Chabal, Rugby World Cup
He also finished in fourth place at the 2007 Rugby World Cup.
Francois Pienaar (Wikipedia)
Competitors Include: Francois Pienaar, Rugby World CupQuote, Competitors Include: Francois Pienaar, Rugby World Cup
He is best known for leading South Africa to victory in the 1995 Rugby World Cup.
Antoine Dupont (Wikipedia)
Competitors Include: Antoine Dupont, Rugby World CupQuote, Competitors Include: Antoine Dupont, Rugby World Cup
He was selected to captain the 34-man squad for France as they hosted the 2023 Rugby World Cup.
Siya Kolisi (Wikipedia)
Competitors Include: Siya Kolisi, Rugby World CupQuote, Competitors Include: Siya Kolisi, Rugby World Cup
eventually leading the South African Rugby team to victory in the 2019 Rugby World Cup Final against England
Shane Williams (Wikipedia)
Competitors Include: Shane Williams, Rugby World CupQuote, Competitors Include: Shane Williams, Rugby World Cup
During the 2007 Rugby World Cup, Williams earned his 50th cap against Japan.
Owen Farrell (Wikipedia)
Competitors Include: Owen Farrell, Rugby World CupQuote, Competitors Include: Owen Farrell, Rugby World Cup
Farrell was picked by Lancaster as one of two fly-halves in the 31-man World Cup squad.
Brian O'Driscoll (Wikipedia)
Competitors Include: Brian O'Driscoll, Rugby World CupQuote, Competitors Include: Brian O'Driscoll, Rugby World Cup
He played for Ireland in the last four World Cups (17 caps, 7 tries).
Johnny Sexton (Wikipedia)
Competitors Include: Johnny Sexton, Rugby World CupQuote, Competitors Include: Johnny Sexton, Rugby World Cup
Sexton started Ireland's first two pool matches in the 2011 Rugby World Cup and came off the bench in their last two pool matches.
George Gregan (Wikipedia)
Competitors Include: George Gregan, Rugby World CupQuote, Competitors Include: George Gregan, Rugby World Cup
As a member of the Wallabies team, Gregan won the Rugby World Cup in 1999.
Percy Montgomery (Wikipedia)
Competitors Include: Percy Montgomery, CareerQuote, Competitors Include: Percy Montgomery, Career
He played at the 1999 Rugby World Cup finals
Eben Etzebeth (Wikipedia)
Competitors Include: Eben Etzebeth, CareerQuote, Competitors Include: Eben Etzebeth, Career
Etzebeth was named in South Africa's squad for the 2019 Rugby World Cup.
Serge Blanco (Wikipedia)
Competitors Include: Serge Blanco, CareerQuote, Competitors Include: Serge Blanco, Career
He scored the deciding try in the semi-final of the inaugural Rugby World Cup in 1987
David Pocock (Wikipedia)
Competitors Include: David Pocock, CareerQuote, Competitors Include: David Pocock, Career
Pocock scored two tries in Australia's opening game of the 2015 Rugby World Cup
Bryan Habana (Wikipedia)
Competitors Include: Bryan Habana, CareerQuote, Competitors Include: Bryan Habana, Career
Habana was part of the South Africa team that won the 2007 Rugby World Cup
Handré Pollard (Wikipedia)
Competitors Include: Handré Pollard, CareerQuote, Competitors Include: Handré Pollard, Career
started for South Africa in their 2019 Rugby World Cup Final win
Faf de Klerk (Wikipedia)
Competitors Include: Faf de Klerk, CareerQuote, Competitors Include: Faf de Klerk, Career
He was a member of the South Africa teams that won the Rugby World Cup in 2019 and 2023.
Beauden Barrett (Wikipedia)
Competitors Include: Beauden Barrett, CareerQuote, Competitors Include: Beauden Barrett, Career
Barrett was selected for the 2015 Rugby World Cup
Brodie Retallick (Wikipedia)
Competitors Include: Brodie Retallick, CareerQuote, Competitors Include: Brodie Retallick, Career
He was a key member of the 2015 Rugby World Cup-winning team
Sergio Parisse (Wikipedia)
Competitors Include: Sergio Parisse, LeadQuote, Competitors Include: Sergio Parisse, Lead
He also holds the joint record of playing in five Rugby World Cups.
Ben Youngs (Wikipedia)
Competitors Include: Ben Youngs, LeadQuote, Competitors Include: Ben Youngs, Lead
He started the 2019 Rugby World Cup Final
Sam Whitelock (Wikipedia)
Competitors Include: Sam Whitelock, LeadQuote, Competitors Include: Sam Whitelock, Lead
He was a key member of the 2011 and 2015 Rugby World Cup-winning teams
Joost van der Westhuizen (Wikipedia)
Competitors Include: Joost van der Westhuizen, LeadQuote, Competitors Include: Joost van der Westhuizen, Lead
participated in three Rugby World Cups
John Smit (Wikipedia)
Competitors Include: John Smit, LeadQuote, Competitors Include: John Smit, Lead
led the team to win the 2007 Rugby World Cup
Chester Williams (Wikipedia)
Competitors Include: Chester Williams, LeadQuote, Competitors Include: Chester Williams, Lead
most notably for the team that won the 1995 Rugby World Cup
Will Carling (Wikipedia)
Competitors Include: Will Carling, LeadQuote, Competitors Include: Will Carling, Lead
reached the 1991 World Cup final
Jason Leonard (Wikipedia)
Competitors Include: Jason Leonard, LeadQuote, Competitors Include: Jason Leonard, Lead
England teams which won four Grand Slams (1991, 1992, 1995 and 2003) and the 2003 Rugby World Cup
Michael Lynagh (Wikipedia)
Competitors Include: Michael Lynagh, LeadQuote, Competitors Include: Michael Lynagh, Lead
During the 1987 Rugby World Cup, Lynagh broke the Australian record
Mike Tindall (Wikipedia)
Competitors Include: Mike Tindall, Career, Bath, 2003 World CupQuote, Competitors Include: Mike Tindall, Career, Bath, 2003 World Cup
was selected for the 2003 Rugby World Cup
Vincent Clerc (Wikipedia)
Competitors Include: Vincent Clerc, 2007 to 2010, 2007 World CupQuote, Competitors Include: Vincent Clerc, 2007 to 2010, 2007 World Cup
Clerc was picked for the 2007 Rugby World Cup.
Jason Robinson (rugby) (Wikipedia)
Competitors Include: Jason Robinson, LeadQuote, Competitors Include: Jason Robinson, Lead
He was part of the 2003 World Cup-winning England team
Sean Fitzpatrick (Wikipedia)
Competitors Include: Sean Fitzpatrick, Lead, Rugby World CupQuote, Competitors Include: Sean Fitzpatrick, Lead, Rugby World Cup
He was part of the New Zealand side that won the first Rugby World Cup in 1987.
Michael Jones (Wikipedia)
Competitors Include: Michael Jones, Lead, Rugby World CupQuote, Competitors Include: Michael Jones, Lead, Rugby World Cup
including winning the first Rugby World Cup in 1987
Grant Fox (Wikipedia)
Competitors Include: Grant Fox, Lead, Rugby World CupQuote, Competitors Include: Grant Fox, Lead, Rugby World Cup
He was a member of the All Blacks team that won the inaugural Rugby World Cup in 1987.
Os du Randt (Wikipedia)
Competitors Include: Os du Randt, Lead, Rugby World CupQuote, Competitors Include: Os du Randt, Lead, Rugby World Cup
won two Rugby World Cups, in 1995 and 2007
Wales National Rugby Union Team (Wikipedia)
Competitors Include: Wales National Rugby Union Team, Lead, Rugby World CupQuote, Competitors Include: Wales National Rugby Union Team, Lead, Rugby World Cup
Wales has also participated in every Rugby World Cup since the competition was established in 1987
England National Rugby Union Team (Wikipedia)
Competitors Include: England National Rugby Union Team, Lead, Rugby World CupQuote, Competitors Include: England National Rugby Union Team, Lead, Rugby World Cup
having won the tournament in 2003
Lawrence Dallaglio (Wikipedia)
Competitors Include: Lawrence Dallaglio, Lead, 2003 World CupQuote, Competitors Include: Lawrence Dallaglio, Lead, 2003 World Cup
was part of the team that won the 2003 World Cup
Patricio Albacete (Wikipedia)
Competitors Include: Patricio Albacete, LeadQuote, Competitors Include: Patricio Albacete, Lead
a part of their 2003 Rugby World Cup squad
Dai Young (Wikipedia)
Competitors Include: Dai Young, Career, competitionQuote, Competitors Include: Dai Young, Career, competition
his Wales début in the first ever Rugby World Cup against England in the quarter-finals
Gareth Thomas (rugby, born 1974) (Wikipedia)
Competitors Include: Gareth Thomas, International careerQuote, Competitors Include: Gareth Thomas, International career
His 100th and last test match was in his team's defeat by Fiji in the 2007 World Cup.
Semi Radradra (Wikipedia)
Competitors Include: Semi Radradra, LeadQuote, Competitors Include: Semi Radradra, Lead
He made his international debut for Fiji in 2018 and played in the 2019 Rugby World Cup.
Scott Quinnell (Wikipedia)
Competitors Include: Scott Quinnell, International careerQuote, Competitors Include: Scott Quinnell, International career
then reached the World Cup quarter-finals
Jannie du Plessis (Wikipedia)
Competitors Include: Jannie du Plessis, Rugby career, 2007 Rugby World CupQuote, Competitors Include: Jannie du Plessis, Rugby career, 2007 Rugby World Cup
Neither Jannie nor Bismarck was named to the Springboks' original squad for the 2007 Rugby World Cup, but both eventually joined the squad.
Wikipedia, Richie McCaw
WikipediaCompetitors Include: Richie McCaw, lead paragraph, competed-inQuote, Competitors Include: Richie McCaw, lead paragraph, competed-in
After their elimination in the quarter-finals, his captaincy came under criticism, but he was retained and eventually led the team to consecutive Rugby World Cup titles in 2011 and 2015, becoming one of only 43 players who have won the Rugby World Cup on multiple occasions.
Wikipedia, Jonny Wilkinson
WikipediaCompetitors Include: Jonny Wilkinson, lead paragraph, competed-inQuote, Competitors Include: Jonny Wilkinson, lead paragraph, competed-in
Wilkinson is currently a studio pundit for ITV Sport, working on their coverage of the Six Nations Championship, Rugby World Cup and other rugby events.
Wikipedia, Dan Carter
WikipediaCompetitors Include: Dan Carter, lead paragraph, competed-inQuote, Competitors Include: Dan Carter, lead paragraph, competed-in
Carter played for the All Blacks in their Rugby World Cup winning teams in both 2011 and 2015, becoming one of 43 players to have won multiple Rugby World Cups.
Wikipedia, Martin Johnson
WikipediaCompetitors Include: Martin Johnson, lead paragraph, competed-inQuote, Competitors Include: Martin Johnson, lead paragraph, competed-in
He left the post in November 2011 following England's quarter final defeat at the 2011 Rugby World Cup and has not taken another management position in the game since.
Essays About This Entity (2 essays)
New Zealand Won the First Rugby World Cup, but South Africa Leads the Record
The Rugby World Cup Field Has Grown Since Its 1987 Start
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