BREAKING: South Africa will not host 2023 Rugby World Cup
South Africa will unfortunately not host the 2023 Rugby World Cup - it lost the bid to France.
The announcement was made at the Royal Garden Hotel in Kensington in London on Wednesday.
Deputy president Cyril Ramaphosa as well as the minister of sport Thulas Nxesi are in London for the announcement.
At the end of October, the Rugby World Cup Board recommended South Africa as the preferred host for the international rugby tournament.
However, the final decision was made by way of a vote - with members of the World Rugby Council making their mark.
BREAKING: France has been announced as the host of the 2023 Rugby World Cup.#RWC2023 pic.twitter.com/zCpwCSPPjP
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We’re LIVE for the Rugby World Cup 2023 host selection announcement #RWC2023 https://t.co/dJ0HSXGxzX
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Independent auditors oversaw the voting process which comprised of a total of 39 votes, with a simple majority required to select the host country.
Japan will host the next tournament in 2019.
South Africa, who hosted the 1995 tournament, went up against Ireland and France for the opportunity to host the tournament.
The board made its recommendation on Tuesday 31 October following detailed consideration of the comprehensive host candidate evaluation report.