The South African Rugby Union Board have decided to recommend to the Government's Presidents Council that they concentrate on bidding for the 2019 event.

 

The event in 1995 was the last major event of the sport's amateur era; two months after the World Cup final, the International Rugby Football Board [now the International Rugby Board] opened the sport to professionalism.

 

But it is best remembered for Nelson Mandela, wearing a Springbok rugby shirt and cap, presenting the William Webb Ellis Cup to winning South African captain Francois Pienaar to the delight of the capacity crowd at Ellis Park in Johannesburg.

 

Australia are also expected to bid for the 2015 World Cup but with 2011 event due to be staged in New Zealand there will be pressure for the event to return to Europe.