Major hurdles await for Springboks in 2027 Rugby World Cup

World Rugby hosted the 20278 RWC draw on Wednesday with a new format due to the first-ever RWC featuring 24 teams.  The teams were split into four bands according to the current world rankings and then randomly allocated into the six pools.

Here, we take a look at the Springboks' potential path to glory.

The World Champions top Pool B, where they face Italy, Georgia and Romania. The Italians are set to provide the biggest challenge, as they showed in South Africa in June and then again in Turin on the end of year tour.

The 2027 RWC will see a Round of 16 added to the schedule in order to accommodate for 24 teams. If the seeding holds, the Boks will face the best-placed third team from Pool C, E or F. This looks likely to be minnows USA, Uruguay or Tonga.

But the defending champions' biggest test awaits them in the quarterfinals. There, they face the winners of Pool A. The opening match between Australia and New Zealand will in all likelihood determine who tops Pool A and who faces the Springboks in the last eight. Either prospect will be an immense challenge for the Boks.

Should they advance, it doesn't get any easier. On current form, France are set to be up against potential Pool D runners-up Scotland in the Round of 16, then possibly Fiji in the quarters. Wins set up a blockbuster semifinal against the Springboks.

Over on the other side of the draw, the All Blacks or Wallabies (with one finishing runner-up in Pool A) could upset things. Either the hosts or the three-time World Champions are on track to line up against England in the quarterfinals, with Argentina and Ireland likely making up the fourth quarterfinal.

Much like the Springboks' incredible run into the 2023 Rugby World Cup Final, the 2027 edition is shaping up to be another tall, but not insurmountable, order.