Tokyo — Favourites New Zealand will begin their quest for a third successive Rugby World Cup title with a heavyweight clash against SA at the 2019 tournament in Japan. The All Blacks are scheduled to face their old southern hemisphere foes in Yokohama on September 21, a day after hosts Japan kick off the competition against European qualifiers, likely to be Romania, organisers announced in Tokyo on Thursday. "We are really excited to meet New Zealand first up," said Springbok coach Allister Coetzee. "There is a great and proud rivalry between the Springboks and All Blacks and this opening group match is bound to be another massive contest." France, drawn in the so-called "Group of Death" alongside England and Argentina, also open their campaign on September 21 with a key Pool C fixture against the Pumas in Tokyo. Title contenders England take on Tonga in the northern Japanese city of Sapporo — at the venue where a David Beckham penalty beat Argentina at the 2002 football World Cup —...
Would you like to comment on this article?
Sign up (it's quick and free) or sign in now.
Please read our Comment Policy before commenting.
Subscribe now to unlock this article.
Support BusinessLIVE’s award-winning journalism for R129 per month (digital access only).
There’s never been a more important time to support independent journalism in SA. Our subscription packages now offer an ad-free experience for readers.
Cancel anytime.
Questions? Email helpdesk@businesslive.co.za or call 0860 52 52 00. Got a subscription voucher? Redeem it now.