Rugby World Cup Board recommends South Africa as #RWC2023 host

South Africa have been recommended to host the 2023 Rugby World Cup ahead of rivals Ireland & France. The two-time winners famously previously hosted the tournament in 1995.

The three nations' bids were assessed and scored by a technical review group on five criteria. These included finance and tournament guarantees; venues and host cities; tournament infrastructure; vision and concept, and tournament organisation and schedule.

South Africa's bid came out top in three of the board's five selection criteria -- tournament, organisation and schedule; venues and hosts cities; as well as tournament infrastructure.

France came out on top in terms of the concept and the financial and commercial aspect of their bid.

The decision must be ratified via a World Rugby council ballot in London on November 15 after the World Rugby council votes. 

HOW THE 2023 HOST WILL BE CHOSEN

There are 39 votes to be cast. The unions/regional associations can cast their votes as they see fit, including splitting their votes or abstaining. The entire process is being overseen by independent auditors. The winner needs to accumulate a total of 20 votes from the following groups:

Sanzaar/Six Nations unions that are not bidding – three votes each (total of 21):
Argentina
Australia
England
Italy
New Zealand
Scotland
Wales

Six regional associations and Japan – two votes each (total of 14):
Africa
North America
Asia
Europe
Japan
Oceania
South America

Four individual unions – one vote each (total of four):
Canada
Georgia
Romania
USA

In the event of no candidate winning a clear majority (20 votes or more) after the first ballot, the bid with the least votes will be eliminated and another ballot will be called. The winner of that ballot will be granted hosting rights. If that vote ends in a draw, the World Rugby chairman can call for a further ballot or he can exercise the casting vote to break the stalemate.