France has beaten South Africa and Ireland to host the 2023 Rugby World Cup in today’s World Rugby Council vote in London.
After receiving 18 votes in the first round, ahead of South Africa’s 13 and eight for Ireland, who were then eliminated, France received 24 votes to South Africa’s 15 in the second and final bout.
The news comes as a shock to many in the rugby world after South Africa was recommended by the Rugby World Cup Board to host the 2023 event.
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At the end of last month, The Guardian reported that South Africa was a “clear leader” ahead of France and Ireland and had been “unanimously recommended” to the World Rugby Council.
World Rugby chairman Bill Beaumont said: “Congratulations to France on being elected Rugby World Cup 2023 host. They presented a very strong and comprehensive bid, which clearly resonated with the council today.
“We had three outstanding host candidates, who raised the bar and overwhelmingly demonstrated that they were all capable of hosting an exceptional Rugby World Cup. There was very little to choose between the candidates and this was reflected in the independently-audited evaluation report.
“I would like to pay tribute to Ireland and South Africa for their dedication throughout a rigorous, and transparent process and hope that they will bid again. We now look forward to working in partnership with France to deliver what I am sure will be a very successful Rugby World Cup in 2023.”
In a post on Twitter, South African Rugby said it was “bitterly disappointed” at the decision.
Wales Online reports the vote was followed by a “huge outcry” and quoted South African Rugby chief executive Jurie Roux as saying: “World Rugby ran an exhaustive, transparent process for 15 months to identify the best host nation, only for the process to go entirely opaque for the past two weeks.”
Following the shock decision, officials and former players posted on Twitter.
South African Rugby apologised to the nation.
John Smit, South Africa’s 2007 Rugby World Cup-winning captain, could not hide his disappointment.
Supersport rugby editor Brenden Nel called out European bias.
Daily Mail writer Chris Foy predicted last night that France could “nick the vote”.
Foy announces the decision today.
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