Springboks Drawn in Pool B for Rugby World Cup 2027

On Wednesday, the draw for the 2027 Rugby World Cup was revealed, marking the first edition of the tournament to feature 24 teams competing across six pools.

ALSO READ: All You Need to Know About Rugby World Cup 2027: Dates, Format, Pools & More.

The new format shifts from the traditional 20-team structure: each pool now has four teams, and the tournament adds a Round of 16 before quarter-finals, allowing more teams a shot at knockout rugby.

The confirmed pools are:

• 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

For the first time, 16 teams, the top two from each pool plus the four best third-placed sides — advance to knockout stages.

Springboks Draw: What Pool B Means for South Africa

As defending champions, the Springboks are drawn into Pool B, where they’ll face Italy, Georgia rugby and Romania team.

On paper, the draw offers a favourable path: the South Africans avoid some of the tournament’s historically tougher pool rivals, giving them a strong chance to top the pool and secure a smoother route into the knockouts.

That said, and as some analysts point out, this draw may set up a high-stakes collision with heavyweights like the All Blacks in the quarter-finals, should both sides advance as expected.