• South Africa and New Zealand are on a collision course for the quarter-finals of the 2027 Rugby World Cup.
• The tournament will take place from October 1 to November 13, 2027, in various Australian cities.
• Australia faces New Zealand in a challenging opening match; both teams are renowned rivals.
• Reigning champions South Africa top Pool B alongside Italy, Georgia, and Romania.
• The competition sees an expansion to 24 teams and a new knockout round of 16.

The draw for the 2027 Rugby World Cup has positioned reigning champions South Africa on a potential collision course with rivals New Zealand in the quarter-finals. Both teams are expected to advance from their group stages, with South Africa facing Italy, Georgia, and Romania in Pool B, while New Zealand contests Pool A against the host Australia, Chile, and debutants Hong Kong, according to Reuters, Le Monde, and Africanews.

Australia's daunting opening match will be against New Zealand, marking the first time these storied rivals meet in the pool stage. Both teams have a rich history filled with fierce competition, yet current rankings place New Zealand as the second-ranked team and Australia outside the top six, which is expected to add excitement to their match in Perth, as noted by Reuters and Le Monde.

Should South Africa and New Zealand advance as anticipated, they would meet in a quarter-final showdown, reminiscent of the tense 2023 final that saw South Africa clinch a narrow victory. Analysts predict a high-stakes match, especially given the strong performances each team displayed in their respective pools, according to Africanews.

The tournament will see a new format featuring 24 teams and a knockout round of 16, expanding from the traditional format previously used. Matches are set to take place in several Australian cities between October 1 and November 13, 2027, which promises an exhilarating six-week competition filled with numerous matches, as confirmed by Reuters, Le Monde, and Africanews.