The Springboks will head into Rugby World Cup 2027 in Australia as favourites regardless against whom they are drawn alongside for the group stage.
The Springboks will know their group stage opponents for the 2027 Rugby World Cup in less than 24 hours.
Let’s take a look at what the most favourable possible draw would be for coach Rassie Erasmus and skipper Siya Kolisi.
‘BEST-CASE’ SCENARIO FOR SPRINGBOKS IN 2027 RUGBY WORLD CUP DRAW
The draw for Rugby World Cup 2027 will take place on Wednesday, 3 December 2025 at 11:00 (SA time) in Sydney.
Here are the Bands for the draw:
Band 1 – South Africa, New Zealand, England, Ireland, France, Argentina
Band 2 – Australia, Fiji, Scotland, Italy, Wales, Japan
Band 3 – Georgia, Spain, USA, Uruguay, Chile, Tonga
Band 4 – Samoa, Portugal, Romania, Hong Kong China, Zimbabwe, Canada
One team will be drawn from each band into each of the six groups.
Therefore, based on the latest World Rugby rankings – which reflect current form – the best possible group/draw for the Springboks would be Japan (Band 2), Tonga (Band 3) and Canada (Band 4).
By contrast, this is the ‘worst-possible’ group for the Springboks at the 2027 Rugby World Cup.
MISSION ‘THREE-PEAT’
The Springboks went ‘Bok-to-Bok’ when they successfully defended their World Cup title in 2023 in France.
In doing so, South Africa became FOUR time world champions (1995, 2007, 2019 and 2023).
The Springboks maintained their place as the number one team in the world following a massive 2025 season that saw them win 12 out of 14 Test matches.
Additionally, the Springboks also successfully defended their Rugby Championship crown, meaning they are the current Rugby Championship and Rugby World Cup champions.
They faced – and beat – some of the best teams in the world – away from home – comfortably this season.
Firstly, they handed New Zealand the biggest loss in their history when they won 43-10 in Wellington.
This was followed with a 32-17 victory over France despite playing with 14 men for half the match in Paris in November.
Rassie Erasmus’s men also beat Ireland 24-13 at the Aviva Stadium to break their 13-year hoodoo in Dublin.
Who would you like to see the Springboks drawn alongside for Rugby World Cup 2027?
Let us know by clicking on the comment banner below …
