Rugby World Cup

The Rugby World Cup is the most important tournament in the sport of rugby union. The first one was in 1987. The cup happens every four years. The competition is one of the biggest sporting events in the world (along with the FIFA World Cup and the Olympics).

The Webb Ellis Cup is given to the Rugby World Cup winner.

There are only 20 spots available in a Rugby World Cup, so teams must compete for them in a qualifying competition. Teams that reached the knockout stages of the previous tournament automatically qualify for the next tournament.

The 2011 match was held in New Zealand, and the 2015 England. The 2019 competition will be held in Japan.

The current champions are South Africa.

Results by nation

Team	Champions	Runners-up	Third place	Fourth place	Top 2	Top 4
Wales	3 (1987, 2011, 2015, 2019)	1 (1995)	2 (1991, 2003)	1 (1999)	4	7
New Zealand	3 (1987, 2011, 2015)	1 (1995)	2 (1991, 2003)	1 (1999)	4	7
Australia	2 (1991, 1999)	2 (2003, 2015)	1 (2011)	1 (1987)	4	6
South Africa	2 (1995, 2007)	—	2(1999, 2015)	—	2	4
England	1 (2003)	2(1991, 2007)	—	1(1995)	3	4
France	—	3(1987, 1999, 2011)	1(1995)	2(2003, 2007)	3	6
Argentina	—	—	1(2007)	1(2015)	0	2
Scotland	—	—	—	1(1991)	0	1

Other websites

• Rugby World Cup – official site
• World Rugby