The history of the Rugby World Cup

The Rugby World Cup is a quadrennial international rugby union competition organized by World Rugby, the sport's governing body. The tournament features the top national teams from around the world and is considered the premier event in international rugby. Every four years the best rugby players come together to fight for the biggest trophy in this sport.

Start in 1987

The history of the Rugby World Cup dates back to 1987 when the first tournament was held in New Zealand and Australia. The inaugural tournament featured 16 teams, with the All Blacks emerging as champions after defeating France 29-9 in the final. An achievement that was copies by the All Blacks a few more times.

2019

The tournament has since grown in size and stature, with the 2019 edition held in Japan featuring 20 teams. South Africa emerged as champions, defeating England 32-12 in the final. Over the years, the Rugby World Cup has produced some iconic moments and legendary players. The likes of Jonah Lomu, Jonny Wilkinson, Richie McCaw, and Dan Carter have all left their mark on the tournament with their performances.

Tournament of upsets and surprises

The tournament has also seen its fair share of upsets and surprises. In 1995, South Africa, playing in their first tournament after the end of apartheid, defeated the heavily favored All Blacks in the final to win their first World Cup. In 2007, Fiji defeated Wales and Samoa to advance to the quarterfinals, where they narrowly lost to eventual champions South Africa. The Rugby World Cup has also had its controversies. The 1995 tournament was boycotted by several African nations due to South Africa's participation, while the 2019 tournament in Japan was hit by a typhoon that disrupted several matches.

Despite the challenges, the Rugby World Cup remains a beloved event for rugby fans around the world. The tournament has continued to grow in popularity and is now one of the most-watched sporting events on the planet. Looking ahead, the next Rugby World Cup is scheduled to be held in France and starts in September. With the world's top teams set to compete, the tournament promises to be another exciting chapter in the history of the Rugby World Cup.