RWC 2027 Pool Draw: Springboks, All Blacks on early collision course
NEWS: The Springboks have been drawn in Pool B with three European opponents for Rugby World Cup 2027 in Australia.
The world champions will face Italy, Georgia and Romania.
Meanwhile, there will be a blockbuster match-up between the All Blacks and hosts Australia in Pool A.
If they win their respective Round of 16 matches, the winners of Pool A and Pool B will meet in the quarterfinals.
Based on the current strength of the teams, that will likely be the All Blacks up against the Springboks.
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Joining Australia and New Zealand in Pool A will be Chile and Hong Kong China.
Argentina will be the strongest team in Pool C with Fiji, Spain, and Canada.
Meanwhile, Ireland and Scotland will be the heavyweights in Pool D, and they will face Uruguay and Portugal.
France will headline Pool E with Japan, the USA and Samoa taking the other three spots.
In Pool F, England and Wales will be the big dogs, and they will be joined by Tonga and Zimbabwe.
Meanwhile, England and Australia could also be another big potential quarterfinal based on the format.
The draw could also lead to a last-eight showdown between Ireland and Argentina, while France could face Fiji at that stage.
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
*A reminder: The top two in each pool, plus the four best third-placed teams, will all reach the last 16 knockout round.
The teams that finish top of Pool A, B, C and D will face a third-place team in the Round of 16, while the teams that finish top of Pool E and F will face teams that finished second in their pool.
Likewise, some teams that finished second in their pool may face the winner of another pool, while some will face the runners-up.
