2027 RWC Paths Revealed: All Blacks and Springboks Could Meet Early

If things go to plan at the 2027 Rugby World Cup, the All Blacks and Springboks may meet in a quarterfinal.

The draw was made in Australia on Wednesday.

New Zealand was drawn in Pool A with Australia, Chile and Hong Kong, with the trans-Tasman rivals likely to open the tournament with a game in Perth.

Should the All Blacks and South Africa both win their pools and their round-of-16 matches, they will meet in the quarterfinals.

The winner of that game would probably face France in the semifinals, with England a likely final opponent.

The six pools in the extended tournament, which now includes a round-of-16 before the quarterfinals, are:

Pool A: New Zealand, Australia, Chile, Hong Kong

Pool B: South Africa, Italy, Georgia, Romania

Pool C: Argentina, Fiji, Spain, Canada

Pool D: Ireland, Scotland, Uruguay, Portugal

Pool E: France, Japan, USA, Samoa

Pool F: England, Wales, Tonga, Zimbabwe.