South Africa looked set to be awarded the rights to host the 2023 event, but was pipped at the last hurdle by France.came as a major shock after World Rugby had previously named South Africa as the recommended hosts following an independent audit.
But the World Rugby Council then voted for France, who received 24 votes compared to South Africa's 15 in the second round of voting, while Ireland was eliminated in the first round."The government will not currently be able to secure the guarantee of R2 billion, which was last required by World Rugby," a source told the Afrikaans publication when asked if SA Rugby could bid again.
"Not now with the state of the economy, and especially not with what the economy will look like after the Covid-19 pandemic." Australia looks likely to be awarded the rights to host the 2027 World Cup, while the 2031 tournament could head to the USA. South Africa has hosted one Rugby World Cup - in 1995 - when the Springboks won the Webb Ellis Cup at the first time of asking.