France will host the 2023 Rugby World Cup.

Shocking news this afternoon as France upset South Africa to host the 2023 Rugby World Cup. We’ve put together a few interesting pieces on the vote and the result.

It’s been a miserable last few years for South African Sport and this is really a kick in the ribs, let’s hope this has some positives by firing up the Boks to put in a performance against France this weekend.

This tweet from Sportingbet sums things up quite nicely :

France has won the right to stage the 2023 World Cup, it was announced Wednesday, despite finishing behind rival bidders South Africa in an evaluation report.

 The report, widely criticised by both France and Ireland, the third bidding country, was not binding on the remaining members of the World Rugby Council, who voted in London.

Wednesday’s decision, announced by World Rugby chairman Bill Beaumont, means France will be staging a World Cup for the second time, having previously hosted the 2007 edition. – Agence France-Presse

https://mg.co.za/article/2017-11-15-2023-rugby-world-cup

In a surprise move, France has been announced as the host of the Rugby World Cup in 2023, following an announcement by World Rugby in London.

Ireland, South Africa and France were the three nations vying to host the rugby spectacle, with the decision coming as a shock to many South Africans.

South Africa was named as the preferred host nation in October after finishing in top place following a lengthy evaluation process.

The voting process consisted of a total of 39 votes with the winner decided by a simple, clear majority.

http://ewn.co.za/2017/11/15/alert-france-chosen-over-sa-to-host-2023-rugby-world-cup

In the first round of voting, France recorded 18 votes, two short of the 20 majority required, with South Africa recording 13 and Ireland 8. In round two, France received 24 votes to secure victory with South Africa on 15.

South Africa insiders had feared the worst on the eve of the vote having declined to lobby for support. In the wake of the announcement, John Smit, who lifted the World Cup for the Springboks in 2007, posted on twitter: “That is devastating news, the joys of a secret ballot.”

https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2017/nov/15/france-host-rugby-world-cup-2023

Many South Africans will be scratching their head and wondering how we lost the bid, being such strong favourites. It’s also a reminder of when South Africa lost the 2006 Soccer World Cup bid by one vote after being heavy favourites.

 

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *