With a year to go for the Rugby World Cup 2023 in France, things are finally falling into place with the last few teams getting confirmed. We saw the final qualifier from Africa getting confirmed, and three more spots are still vacant.
The Rugby World Cup returns to France after 2007 and will be played from the 8th of September 2023 to the 28th of October 2023. We take a look at the recent qualifications and what is to come.
The qualification process
A total of 20 teams play the Rugby World Cup. 12 teams receive automatic qualification for their top-three finishes in the group stage at the 2019 Rugby World Cup. This also includes the 2023 hosts, France.
The remaining eight slots come from the regional qualifiers, followed by cross-regional playoffs. The final spot for the Rugby World Cup will go down to the Repechage tournament that will be played in November 2022.
The Repechage is like the last chance and the winner-takes-it-all-tournament for all the top teams that fail to make it through the regional playoffs. These teams get another shot at qualifying by playing each other for just one position.
Africa 1 – Done
The start of July saw the final spot from Africa filled as Namibia qualified for the Rugby World Cup 2023. The battle came down to Kenya and Namibia in the Rugby Africa Cup final, and it was Namibia emerged on top with a 36-0 win over Kenya.
With this win, Namibia will make it to the Rugby World Cup for the seventh successive time, after having competed at every event since 1999. In their Rugby World Cup run, they have played 22 matches and have ended up on the losing side on all occasions.
If they want to change things around, they will find it challenging as they will join hosts France, 2015 & 2011 winners New Zealand, Italy and Uruguay.
Georgia fill in Europe 1
Earlier in March, Georgia booked their spot for the Rugby World Cup after World Rugby decided to abandon all the remaining fixtures against Russia. The decision that came with the sanctions and the conflict between Russia and Ukraine allowed Georgia to top the Rugby Europe Championship.
Georgia became the 15th team to qualify after their unbeaten run. The side played eight games in the European Championships (combined 2021 & 2022), winning 7 out of the games (with the abandoned game) and a single draw. Spain came in second to claim the second spot but was given a ten-point deduction for fielding an ineligible player.
Thus, Romania finished second in the tournament, and third-placed Portugal will make it to the Recharge tournament in November to try their luck for the France ticket one last time.
The Spanish Rugby Federation was found guilty of falsifying the passport belonging to Gavin van den Berg, originally a South African, resulting in the points deduction.
Hong Kong – Coming Close
With Japan finishing high up in the 2019 Rugby World Cup that was played in Japan, there is renewed hope for Hong Kong to make it to the World Cup. The Asian qualifier, the Asia Rugby Championship final, concluded with Korea handing out a closely contested 23-21 win to Hong Kong.
The Asia/Pacific qualifier 1 will now come down to the game between Hong Kong and Tonga. The winner will gain direct qualification to the Rugby World Cup 2023, while the losing side will have the chance to play the Repechage.
Hong Kong hasn’t made the World Cup in their playing history but has been in and out of the Repechage tournament. In the meantime, Tonga has played in all tournaments except 1991. They have two wins under their name, one against Samoa in 2007 and a famous victory against France in 2011.
It will be a tough ask for Hong Kong and will most likely be a part of the Recharge tournament that will be played in November.
Samoa takes the Oceania spot.
The 13th team to make it to the Rugby World Cup 2023 was Samoa after they defeated Tonga in the two-legged series 42-13 and 37-15. The Pacific Islanders will be in Pool D. Pool D consists of England, Japan, Argentina and the Americas 2 qualifying side.
Samoa has been a part of every Rugby World Cup since 1991. In 1991, 1995 and 1999, the side made it to the quarterfinals, but as of late, luck has not been with the Pacific islanders, and they have faced elimination in the group stage.
The final Americas Spot
The United States of America needs just one win to make it to the Rugby World Cup in 2022. They’ve featured in every tournament except for the 1995 edition. The final playoff in the Americas will be between USA and Chile, and the winner will be drafted to Pool D alongside England, Japan, Argentina and Samoa. The losing side will play the Repechage in November.
Tagged as the Eagles, the USA have brought in reinforcements with the likes of sevens sensation Martin Iosefo to strengthen their chances of making it through qualification. Chile has not qualified for the World Cup on any occasion.
The Repechage Tournament
The final spot for the Rugby World Cup 2023 will be the winner of the Repechage tournament that will be played in November. The winner will be in Pool C alongside Wales, Australia, Fiji and Georgia.
Four teams will participate in this tournament and are the second-place finishers in the regional qualification draws. Kenya and Portugal are confirmed participants, while the other two could be the United States, Chile, Hong Kong, or Tonga.
Canada was the 2019 Rugby World Cup Repechage winner, defeating Hong Kong, Germany and Kenya.
Time to get ready!
As the tournament draws closer and closer, Rugby World Cup tickets become more and more scarce. With the 2023 edition taking place in France and France’s excellent form in the last two seasons, there is an increased demand for Rugby World Cup tickets.
The 2007 Rugby World Cup was famous for the French win against the All Blacks, the Springboks championship win and the excellent crowd. Spectators who purchased Rugby World Cup tickets and came to support the teams were some of the best fans we had seen.
When the Rugby World Cup comes to France, you are already behind on your plans. You could be checking out the official draws for the Rugby World Cup for tickets, but these listings could be running out soon.
Unless you already made plans, it might be a little bit impossible to book tickets right now during the official draw since you might not be 100% certain that you will be making it to a game.
That’s why Seatsnet wants to offer everyone a lifeline. The world’s leading ticketing platform for sports and entertainment provide every rugby fan with an opportunity to purchase Rugby World Cup tickets. Thanks to the platform’s trustworthy sellers, you get the chance to view all open tickets and select the ticket of your choice.
The Rugby World Cup tickets listed are all authentic, and the sellers undergo a series of verification before getting listed. So, start making plans, and let Seatsnet look after your tickets.
Start today, and make the trip to France next year.
