The world’s top-ranked side were the second-last team pulled from the bowl during Wednesday morning’s draw, and while the route to the knockouts looks smooth, the Boks will know all too well that banana-peel fixtures can lurk where you least expect them.

Pool B is where South Africa will set up camp for what will be just the second Rugby World Cup hosted Down Under. The Boks will go head-to-head with Italy, Georgia, and Romania - all opponents they’ve handled comfortably in the past, but each with their own quirks and threats.

Grant Williams against Romania in France - Rugby World Cup

South Africa last met Romania at the 2023 Rugby World Cup in France, putting up a comprehensive 76–0 win at Stade de Bordeaux. Their only other Rugby World Cup meeting came in 1995 on home soil, when the Boks claimed a 21–8 victory at Newlands in Cape Town. The Oaks remain spirited but outgunned - yet World Cups often deliver surprises, and the Boks will not take anything for granted.

The Lelos of Georgia are no strangers either. Their first-ever Test against South Africa came at the 2003 World Cup in Sydney, where the Boks won 46–19. Since then, the two nations have clashed only twice more, with the most recent fixture a 55–10 SA victory in Nelspruit this July. Georgia’s scrum has long been their pride, but the Boks traditionally relish that sort of contest.

Damian Willemse scoring against Romania - Rugby World Cup

Italy, however, will be the team circled in red. The Boks beat the Azzurri 32–14 with just 14 men in Turin in November, but the Italians have shown steady improvement and are more than capable of springing an upset. Their only World Cup meeting came in 2019, when South Africa romped to a 49–3 win in Fukuroi on their way to lifting the Webb Ellis Cup for a third time. Erasmus will know this is the one fixture in the group that demands full focus.

While the Springboks avoided the dreaded “Group of Death”, they’ll be wary of complacency - Italy in particular have developed a reputation, and Georgia remain a proud, physical side.

Elsewhere, hosts Australia landed in Pool A alongside old rivals New Zealand in what promises to be an explosive Trans-Tasman showdown. The Wallabies are expected to reach the knockouts, but finishing top will require something special against the three-time champions.

Handré Pollard against Italy during the 2019 Rugby World Cup in Japan - X

Zimbabwe, returning to the World Cup after a long absence, have been drawn in Pool F and may quietly fancy their chances. They’ll come up against England, Tonga and Wales - a tough assignment, but not impossible if the Sables can tap into the momentum of their resurgence.

At first glance, there’s no obvious “Group of Death” this time around. The path seems relatively tarred for the top seeds, but every pool carries at least one potential slip - as some big teams have learned in past World Cup showdowns.

The full match schedule for Rugby World Cup 2027 will be released on 3 February 2026.

Rugby World Cup 2027 Pools

Pool A: New Zealand, Australia, Chile, Hong Kong China

Pool B: South Africa, Italy, Georgia, Romania

Pool C: Argentina, Fiji, Spain, Canada

Pool D: Ireland, Scotland, Uruguay, Portugal

Pool E: France, Japan, USA, Samoa

Pool F: England, Wales, Tonga, Zimbabwe

Morgan Piek OFM Sport