BOKS GET ITALY, GEORGIA AND ROMANIA AT WORLD CUP

HOLDERS South Africa were pitted with Italy at the 2027 Rugby World Cup as hosts Australia face a blockbuster group clash with New Zealand after the draw in Sydney on Wednesday.

The four-time champion Springboks will also play Georgia and Romania in Pool B at the six-week showpiece from 1 October-13 November featuring a bumper 24 teams and 52 games.

Rassie Erasmus’ all-conquering team are favourites to win a third straight title after a jitz 2025.

They completed a November tour clean sweep after retaining their Rugby Championship crown, taking an eight-match unbeaten streak into the new year.

The Boks and All Blacks are on a collision course for a groot quarter-final match-up should they both win their groups and Round of 16 games as expected.

But Erasmus warned against complacency.

Erasmus wysed: “There have been surprises in the tournament before, so we’ll need to be up mentally and physically for every match.

“Italy may be ranked 10th in the world, but they showed us what they are capable of when they hit their straps earlier this season.”

Scott Robertson’s All Blacks are looking to halt the Boks’ march, and lift their fourth title and first since 2015 after being edged 12-11 in the 2023 final in France.

They face the sukkeling Wallabies in Pool A along with Chile and debutants Hong Kong, a daunting prospect for their opponents with New Zealand only losing one pool game at 10 previous World Cups.

Third-ranked England are in Pool F and will go up against local rivals Wales, Tonga and Zimbabwe.

Ireland are in Pool D with Scotland, Uruguay and Portugal.

France headline Pool E with Japan, USA and Samoa, while Argentina are in Pool C, and face Fiji, Spain and Canada.