With the decision on the venue for the 2023 Rugby World Cup just seven months away, the Irish bid has been dealt somewhat of a blow with the news that the South African bid for the tournament is very much back in play.
During the Six Nations, when France wore "France 2023" on their jerseys in lieu of a sponsor, and inspectors visited sites in Dublin and around the country, the bidding process seemed to really kick off in what felt like a two horse race.
South Africa, who were originally very strong contenders, suffered a massive blow back in April last year when their own government placed a ban on South Africa hosting international tournaments due to the slow process in integrating and providing opportunities for black players in the game.
Since then, SA Rugby has been working closely with the government to get their house in order, and today, the ban will be rescinded when they will be given a pass-mark by the Eminent Persons Group. Key indicators that SARU had to meet was the number of black players and coaches at national level, wbich has now apparently been met.
Mr Thulas Nxesi, the Minister for Sport & Recreation, reported at Loftus Versfeld in Pretoria on Tuesday that rugby had met the targets set out in the Transformation Charter.
I would like to congratulate rugby, cricket and netball on their improved scores, you were clearly willing to walk the extra mile.
Their right to bid for and host major sporting events, which was revoked before, is hereby immediately reinstated.
But we would like to re-emphasise our expectations for sporting federations to take charge and provide leadership at school and club levels.
In the year since the ban was imposed, SARU with its bid‚ meeting all World Rugby’s deadlines.
The president of SARU Mark Alexander, speaking at a World Rugby meeting in Tokyo ahead of tomorrow's Rugby World Cup 2019 draw, was understandably delighted with the news.
This is great news and a tribute to the work that the sport has been doing in recent years to stay in tune and relevant to modern South Africa.
We can now put the finishing touches to what we believe will be an outstanding bid to host the 2023 Rugby World Cup.
We have kept the ministry up to speed with our thinking and state of preparation throughout the suspension and continue to enjoy an excellent relationship with our sports leaders.
A main worry for Ireland and France is that since South Africa hosted the iconic 1995 World Cup, they have had bid rejected three times to host subsequent tournaments. With the 2015 tournament held in England and 2019 in Japan, there's an argument that the it'll be the southern hemisphere's turn this time around.
Right now, Ireland remain odds-on favourites to host the tournament, with Paddy Power offering 1/3 odds to us having the winning bid, with both France and South Africa at 9/2. The IRFU will have planned all along for the South African ban to be lifted, but today's news definitely represents a blow.
The winning bidder will be named by World Rugby on 15 November.
