Rugby World Cup
The Rugby World Cup is the most important tournament in the sport of rugby union. The first one was in 1987. The cup happens every four years. The competition is one of the biggest sporting events in the world (along with the FIFA World Cup and the Olympics).
There are only 20 spots available in a Rugby World Cup, so teams must compete for them in a qualifying competition. Teams that reached the knockout stages of the previous tournament automatically qualify for the next tournament.
The 2011 match was held in New Zealand, and the 2015 England. The 2019 competition will be held in Japan.
The current champions are South Africa.
Results by nation
Team | Champions | Runners-up | Third place | Fourth place | Top 2 | Top 4 |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Wales | 3 (1987, 2011, 2015, 2019) | 1 (1995) | 2 (1991, 2003) | 1 (1999) | 4 | 7 |
New Zealand | 3 (1987, 2011, 2015) | 1 (1995) | 2 (1991, 2003) | 1 (1999) | 4 | 7 |
Australia | 2 (1991, 1999) | 2 (2003, 2015) | 1 (2011) | 1 (1987) | 4 | 6 |
South Africa | 2 (1995, 2007) | — | 2(1999, 2015) | — | 2 | 4 |
England | 1 (2003) | 2(1991, 2007) | — | 1(1995) | 3 | 4 |
France | — | 3(1987, 1999, 2011) | 1(1995) | 2(2003, 2007) | 3 | 6 |
Argentina | — | — | 1(2007) | 1(2015) | 0 | 2 |
Scotland | — | — | — | 1(1991) | 0 | 1 |
Rugby World Cup Media
Gavin Hastings of Scotland is one of four players to have kicked a record eight penalties in a single World Cup match.
Other websites
- Rugby World Cup – official site
- World Rugby