The Rugby World Cup is the premier international rugby union competition. The event is organized by the sport’s governing body, the International Rugby Board (IRB), and is contested by the men’s national teams. The inaugural tournament was held in 1987, hosted by both Australia and New Zealand, and is now contested every four years. The winners are awarded the William Webb Ellis Cup, named after the Rugby School pupil credited with the game’s invention. The tournament is one of the largest international sporting competitions in the world.

South Africa is the current World champions, having won the 2007 Rugby World Cup Final in France on 20 October 2007 with victory over England, the 2003 World Champions and current runners-up. The next Rugby World Cup is due to be contested in New Zealand in 2011.