Rugby World Cup – What to expect?

The highly anticipated 10th Rugby World Cup is set to kick off on September 8, hosted by France.

This seven-week tournament will see 20 teams compete for the prestigious Webb Ellis Cup, making it one of the biggest sporting events globally.

The opening match on September 8 will feature the host nation, France, facing off against New Zealand, a team that is a strong contender to win the tournament. New Zealand, known as the ‘All Blacks,’ has already won the Rugby World Cup three times and holds the record for the largest win in a Rugby World Cup match, defeating Japan 145-17.

France, renowned for its culinary delights and iconic landmarks like the Eiffel Tower and Notre Dame, will transform into the epicenter of rugby action during the tournament. The competition will be held across nine stadiums in nine cities, from the pool stage to the quarter-finals and semi-finals. The grand finale will take place in Paris at the Stade de France, Saint-Denis, where the Webb Ellis Cup will be awarded on October 28, 2023.

The tournament has generated significant excitement as teams have engaged in warm-up matches, offering glimpses of their potential. South Africa, the reigning champions from the 2019 Rugby World Cup, is among the favorites to secure victory again this year.

Here is a look at some key details about the tournament:

When: The Rugby World Cup begins on September 8, 2023, and runs for seven weeks.

Where: France is the host nation, with matches held at nine stadiums across nine cities.

Who: Twenty teams are participating, competing in pools with the top two teams advancing to the quarter-finals.

The tournament promises thrilling rugby action and is both a fierce competition and a celebration of the sport, as it coincides with rugby’s 200th anniversary. Rugby enthusiasts around the world eagerly await the start of this prestigious event, where the world’s top teams will vie for the title of Rugby World Cup champions.