WORLD CUP SCHEDULE MAKES FOR TOUGH READING IF YOU’RE SOUTH AFRICAN

IT’S highly unlikely that South African rugby fans will get to support the Springboks at the 2027 World Cup with braai tong in one hand and their favourite drink in the other.

That’s because by the time the final whistle has blown, the boeing will not yet be over. Instead, fans will still wipe away the sleep from their eyes.

World Rugby announced the 2027 schedule, that will play out in eight different venues across Australia, on Tuesday in Sydney.

The Boks, who will have their sights set on trying to win their third successive Webb Ellis Cup, will line up against Italy in their opening match of the spectacle at the Adelaide Oval – where their only previous Test was against Australia in 2022 – at 5.45am on 3 October, which will be followed by clashes against Georgia at Brisbane Stadium on 10 October (8.45am) and Romania at Perth Stadium on 17 October (1.15pm).

The new format will see a round of 16 playing out on the weekend of 23 and 24 October, with the quarter-finals set to be hosted a week later on 30 and 31 October in Sydney and Brisbane, the semi-finals on 5 and 6 November, and the final on 13 November – all at Stadium Australia in Sydney.

The winner and runner-up in each of the six pools and the four best-placed third teams will then advance to the round of 16.

Coach Rassie Erasmus said of the schedule: “We can now go full steam ahead with our planning and preparation for the tournament, and we will leave no stone unturned in ensuring that we are as fresh and well prepared as possible for the competition.”