Rugby World Cup trivia
The ninth edition of the Rugby World Cup is currently on the go in Japan, and just like the previous World Cups we are already enjoying an exciting tournament (although a tough start for SA).
Did you know that this is the first time that the Rugby World Cup is being played on Asian soil? Here are a few other interesting facts that you can use to show off your rugby know-how between the rucks and line-outs:
- A whistle used by a Welsh referee during a 1905 match between England and New Zealand is the same whistle that has been blown for the opening match of every Rugby World Cup.
- The first official Rugby World Cup took place in 1987.
- The Rugby World Cup winners are awarded the William Webb Ellis Cup. William Webb Ellis was a pupil at a school called Rugby and apparently invented the game. According to the myth, he picked up a soccer ball and started running with it.
- The biggest winning margin in Rugby World Cup history was when Australia beat Namibia 142-0 in 2003. However, New Zealand hold the record for the most points in one match, when they beat Japan 145-17 in 1995.
- There are only four countries who have won the Rugby World Cup – New Zealand (1987, 2011, 2015), South Africa (1995, 2007), Australia (1991, 1999) and England (2003).
- Namibian sportsman Rudie van Vuuren is the only individual to represent a country in multiple World Cups. He represented Namibia in both the Cricket and Rugby World Cups in 2003.
- The 2007 Rugby World Cup is the only time New Zealand didn’t make it into at least a semi-final.
- England are the only single host nation who have failed to advance out of their pool, which happened at the 2015 Rugby World Cup.
- There are only three players who have won the Rugby World Cup more than once. South Africa’s own Os du Randt and Australia’s John Eales and Tim Horan, who have each won the World Cup twice.
- South Africa have won the Rugby World Cup twice and in both finals, they won without scoring a try.
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