IRB impressed with South African bid

27 minutes ago

Rugby union's world governing body has given its full support to South Africa's bid to host either the 2015 or 2019 World Cup after a meeting in Cape Town on Tuesday.

A joint delegation from the South African Rugby Union (SARU) and the International Rugby Board (IRB) met with the country's sports minister Makhenkesi Stofile and his deputy Gert Oosthuizen as part of an information-sharing session.

"We were delighted with the meeting and very pleased with the government's expression of support for the South African Rugby union's bid," said IRB president Bernard Lapasset, who was accompanied by chief executive Mike Miller.

"A tournament of this size - the third-largest sporting event in the world - is not possible without a close partnership between the government and the rugby union and we were impressed with the enthusiasm and the support the government offered," he added.

The IRB has already stated that countries bidding for the 2015 and 2019 tournaments must offer financial guarantees of £80million and £96million respectively and SARU president Oregan Hoskins had previously said that without government support "the bid was dead."

Speaking after Tuesday's meetings, he said: "The meeting surpassed my expectations and I was very heartened by the minister's attitude. His attitude augurs very well for us and I left the meeting feeling that this was a very important moment for our bid.

"The minister stressed that the infrastructure will be in place at the stadiums and across the country and that, as South Africa is a rugby-mad country, that they would be delighted and honoured to host the World Cup.

"It would be a significant moment to host the tournament on the 20th anniversary of the 1995 Rugby World Cup in South Africa, an event which did so much to assist in the growth of nation-building in the country."

Interested unions will make their presentations to the IRB in May and a decision on the hosting nations for both tournaments will be announced on July 28.

What a scoop it will be for SA to get one of the two tournaments

Yes, I hope we get one of the events. I think Japan is going to bag one. Hopefully, SA will bag the other.

I hope we get it! Will be amazing.

I'm in full support of us hosting one of them but I guess it will make it a bit diffucult for Durbs to then host Olympics in 2020 as I doubt that we can have SWC in 2010, RWC 2015/19 and Olympics in 2020.

If you then have to choose between having RWC or Olympics, which one will you go for gents.

I would choose Rugby as it will benefit more than one city.

Rugby will be awesome, but Olympics will give more exposure, but as Pule said, it will only benifit 1 city.

Rugby World cup hopefully in 2015 or 2019 if I'm alive lol

I'm in full support of us hosting one of them but I guess it will make it a bit diffucult for Durbs to then host Olympics in 2020 as I doubt that we can have SWC in 2010, RWC 2015/19 and Olympics in 2020.

If you then have to choose between having RWC or Olympics, which one will you go for gents.

I would choose Rugby as it will benefit more than one city.

The hosting of the Rugby World Cup does not impact on the hosting of the 2020 Olympic Games by a South African city.

I think getting the 2015 will be first prize. It will mark the 20th anniversary of SA's 1995 Games. It will also give the country ample time to recover from 2010 and to prepare for a 2020 Olympic bid if it decides to put in one (Olympic bid has to be submitted by 2013). I am hoping the govt decides on either CT or Durbs for such a bid. Altitude and distance between venues count against JHB.

Government backs 2015 bid

February 04 2009 at 02:46PM

The government has pledged its support for the South African Rugby Union's (Saru) bid to host the 2015 Rugby World Cup.

Sports Minister Makhenkesi Stofile and Deputy Minister Gert Oosthuizen met a joint Saru and International Rugby Board delegation at Parliament on Tuesday to discuss details about the bid and to seek government support.

IRB president Bernard Lapasset said in a statement on Tuesday that he was glad government was backing the bid. Saru is bidding to host either the 2015 or the 2019 Rugby World Cups. Interested unions will make their presentations to the IRB in May and a decision on the hosting nations for both tournaments will be announced on July 28.

"We were delighted with the meeting and very pleased with the government's expression of support for the South African Rugby Union's bid," Lapasset said.

"A tournament of this size - the third-largest sporting event in the world - is not possible without a close partnership between the government and the rugby union."

Saru president Oregan Hoskins said: "The meeting surpassed my expectations and I was very heartened by the minister's attitude.

"I left the meeting feeling that this was a very important moment for our bid.

"The minister stressed that the infrastructure will be in place at the stadiums and across the country and that, as South Africa is a rugby-mad country, they would be delighted and honoured to host the World Cup.

"It would be a significant moment to host the tournament on the 20th anniversary of the 1995 Rugby World Cup in South Africa, an event which did so much to assist in the growth of nation-building in the country."

The IRB's research showed that the economic impact of hosting a Rugby World Cup could be as much as R28 billion.


This article was originally published on page 3 of Cape Times on February 04, 2009


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i dont think ANY SA city will be going for 2020 games, more like 2024 or later

If SA bids for 2024, it will face very stiff competition from several developed country bids. Paris is the main threat. It has indicated that it will definitely be bidding for the games as it marks 100 years since Paris hosted the 1924 games. Brisbane is already the candidate Oz city for the games, while Toronto has indicated its intention to bid too (Toronto has bid twice before and, remember, only very, very narrowly missed out to Beijing for the 2008 games. But if Chicago gets the Games in 2016, it will scupper Toronto's chance given their proximity to each other). Tokyo has also indicated it will bid for 2024. All these cities are strong contenders and stand better chances than SA cities. 2020 may be a better shot as several developing countries have indicated they intend bidding then. Methinks we will stand a strong chance against any developing country.

i dont think ANY SA city will be going for 2020 games, more like 2024 or later

well rather 2020 than 2016 as julie may indicated even after the closing date for applications had passed. :) Zille says first 2010. Then evaluate Olympic bid in 2011. Cape Chamber of Commerce, Accelerate CT, Provincial Government Western Cape all back the 2020 Games in Cape Town. The decision though will be taken by Nocsa but of course would depend on cities showing interest.

Toronto failed miserably to Beijing eventhough they an excellent bid. Paris might bid for 2024 but are now bidding for the 2018 winter games which will impact on 2024.
Brisbane is not certain to be OZ's next applicant city with Melbourne making its intentions clear and as the world's top sports city, is always in with a chance.

Being a developed country provides an advantage in shortlisting as naturally infrastructure is good and accommodation is not an issue but its not the answer to winning a bid and can work in favour of South Africa if it produces a good bid.

I think we'll see Rio back for 2020, Istanbul, Berlin(but unlikely due to Munich 2018), Madrid, Rome, Tokyo and some randoms like Prague, Baku,Budapest

I think we can expect a big field. Oh and Doha will def be back.

The reality is that we'll need R70 billion. Thats a conservative estimate.

I think we'll see Rio bid for every summer Games until they get it. :)

I think we'll see Rio bid for every summer Games until they get it. :)

A bid for 2020 would be silly. Since they would host in the last year of the preparations for FIFA 2014 WC.

Istanbul actually has a law that allows the city to bid for each Games. It skipped 2016. Made the shortlist for 2008 and not for 2012 :)

Lets just say the IOC were kind to Rio in the technical evaluation. Kinder than 2012 and 2004 when they got booted before the final phase.