By Adnaan Mohamed
The Springboks pursuit of an unprecedented third consecutive Rugby World Cup title will unfold against familiar opponents after the defending champions were drawn into Pool B with Italy, Georgia and Romania for the 2027 tournament in Australia.
The announcement, made during Wednesday morning’s draw, confirmed that South Africa will face three teams they know well from past World Cup encounters: Romania in 1995 and 1999, Georgia in 2003, and Italy in 2019.
The format, guided by world rankings for the 2025 season, sorted the 24 teams into four bands before randomised placement into six pools. This is the largest RWC structure to date.
Rassie Erasmus: “We are pleased… but this is a World Cup”
Springbok head coach Rassie Erasmus welcomed the draw but emphasised the unpredictability of tournament rugby.
“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.”
Erasmus offered a measured breakdown of each opponent, noting how deceptive world rankings can be.
“Italy may be ranked 10th in the world, but they showed us what they are capable of when they hit their straps earlier this season, even though the scorelines may not have reflected that.
“Georgia and Romania are also extremely physical and passionate teams, and we’ve faced them before, so we know how tough they can be on the day if we give them space and opportunities to play to their potential.”
His remarks frame Pool B as a group where familiarity offers preparation advantages, but no shortcuts — a reminder that even routine fixtures can turn into tactical ambushes if approached casually.
Tournament Format: Six Pools, New Pathways
With the RWC expanding from 20 to 24 teams and the fixture list increasing to 52 matches, 2027 will introduce a modified playoff pathway.
- Winners of Pools A–D will face the four best third-placed teams.
- Winners of Pools E and F will meet the runners-up from Pools B and D.
- Runners-up in Pools A and C draw the second-placed teams from Pools E and F.
This structural shift increases the importance of pool-stage consistency and squad rotation which is a key component of Erasmus’s historically successful World Cup strategies.
The Full 2027 Pools
- Pool A: New Zealand, Australia, Chile, Hong Kong China
- Pool B: South Africa, Italy, Georgia, Romania
- Pool C: Argentina, Fiji, Spain, Canada
- Pool D: Ireland, Scotland, Uruguay, Portugal
- Pool E: France, Japan, USA, Samoa
- Pool F: England, Wales, Tonga, Zimbabwe
Australia will host matches from 1 October to 13 November 2027 across seven cities in Adelaide, Brisbane, Melbourne, Newcastle, Sydney and Townsville.
The full matchday schedule will be released on 3 February 2026, with a two-week presale window for fans opening 18 February 2026.
A Favourable yet Demanding Pool
While South Africa avoided a heavyweight Tier 1 rival in Pool B, the draw offers strategic depth:
- Italy present a risk profile based on tempo and moments of tactical unpredictability.
- Georgia bring scrummaging power and collision dominance – a stress test for any forward pack.
- Romania remain physical and combative, although rebuilding.
For Erasmus, the pool provides space to calibrate combinations, manage player load, and sharpen tactical identity, the essential building blocks for a three-peat campaign. Pool B offers stability, but only if executed with precision.
