Hosts Chosen for 2015 and 2019 Rugby World Cups

England will host the event in 2015 and Japan will become the first Asian country to host the tournament in 2019, according to the International Rugby Board.

Japan, who lost out to New Zealand in the bidding for the 2011 edition, and England, hosts of the 1991 tournament, were awarded the rights ahead of bids from South Africa and Italy.

England awarded 2015 Rugby Cup, Japan 2019 hosts
Mail and Guardian
July 28, 2009

SA Not Recommended for Next Rugby World Cups

Hoping to get another chance to host the Rugby World Cup, South Africa was disappointed recently when it was not recommended as a good choice for either the 2015 or 2019 tournaments.

Rugby World Cup Limited (RWCL) on Tuesday announced it was recommending England to the IRB Council to host Rugby World Cup 2015 and Japan to stage the tournament in 2019, at the expense of South Africa and fellow bidders Italy.

The IRB Council will meet in Dublin on July 28 to finalise the hosting nations.

South Africa, which hosted and won RWC 1995 and who were recrowned world champions in 2007 in France, were seen as strong candidates for re-hosting one of the RWCs up for tender.

South Africa 'disappointed' but still bidding for RWC
Mail & Guardian
July 1, 2009

Using Soccer World Cup Developments to Fuel Rugby World Cup Bid

Looking to piggyback off the development and infrastructure related to the 2010 FIFA World Cup, South African Rugby Union (Saru) President Oregan Hoskins is hoping to lure the either the 2015 or 2019 rugby World Cup back to South Africa, where the event was held in 1995.

"The government has been very supportive and they have provided the financial backing to allow us to complete what we believe is a compelling case to bring the Rugby World Cup back home," said Hoskins.

"South Africa in this day and age is set up to host the very biggest global sporting events and we believe we would offer rugby an unrivalled showcase for the game.

...Mark Alexander, bid Committee chairperson and Saru deputy president, said the newly refurbished 90 000-capcity Soccer City in Johannesburg would be the venue for the opening and final matches of any South African World Cup and other new stadiums, as well as existing rugby stadiums, would be used.

"South Africa is spending billions on upgrading our infrastructure and on venues to host the Fifa World Cup next year and the legacy of that tournament offers rugby an incredible opportunity to put on a spectacular tournament in ideal conditions," said Alexander.

Source:
SA Rugby Union bids for World Cup 2015 and 2019
Mail & Guardian
May 7, 2009