A list of all the past Rugby World Cup winners to date

The Rugby World Cup is among the most popular international competitions watched by millions of people across the globe. The tournament takes place every four years in different countries. This article breaks down the past Rugby World Cup winners and who has the most titles.

The competition attracts the best nations in rugby from different continents, battling out in a highly contested format. Winners of the competition take home the Webb Ellis Cup. Here is everything you need to know about the event and all Rugby World Cup winners.

Best Rugby World Cup winners of all time

The tournament's inaugural edition occurred in 1987 in Australia and New Zealand. It featured 16 teams, including seven members of the IRFB (now World Rugby). New Zealand won the first World Cup after beating France 29-9 in the final.

How many Rugby World Cups has New Zealand won?

The All Blacks are the most successful team, alongside South Africa, with the most Rugby World Cups. The two have won the competition three times. New Zealand won in 1987, 2011, and 2015.

Which year did South Africa win the Rugby World Cup?

South Africa's rugby team, the Springboks, won the tournament in 1995, 2007, and 2019. They missed the inaugural edition due to the apartheid regime.

How many teams have won the Rugby World Cup?

Four countries have won the trophy since its inaugural edition in 1987. New Zealand and South Africa have three titles, Australia has two, and England has one. Here is the past Rugby World Cup winners list, runners-up, and scores.

Rugby World Cup hosts and winners‌

New Zealand and South Africa are the only nations to host and win the tournament. The All Blacks hosted and won in 1987 and 2011, while South Africa did it in 1995. Below is a timeline of the last Rugby World Cup winners and their stats.

1987 - New Zealand (Australia and New Zealand)

The All Blacks topped Pool 3, consisting of Fiji, Italy and Argentina, scoring 190 points and 30 tries while only conceding 34 points. They beat Scotland 30-3 in the quarter-finals, then dismantled Wales 49-6 in the semis. New Zealand continued their dominance by beating France 29-9 in the final on 20 June 1987.

1991 - Australia (England, Wales, Ireland, Scotland and France)

Five countries hosted the second edition of the competition as Australia bagged their first title. The Wallabies overcame Argentina, Wales, and Western Samoa in their pool, scoring 79 points and only conceding 29. Australia scored a last-minute try against Ireland to seal a spot in the semis against reigning champions New Zealand.

They demolished the All Blacks 16-6 to set up a final berth against England at Twickenham. Australia beat England by a six-point margin to win their first World Cup.

1995 - South Africa (South Africa)

The Springboks played in the tournament for the first time in 1995 after the end of apartheid. Interestingly, they went on to win it. The new entrants topped their pool after beating Canada, Romania, and defending champions, Australia. They beat Western Samoa 42-12 in the quarter-finals before narrowly edging out France 19-15 in the semi-finals.

The African giants met New Zealand in one of the most hotly contested rugby games ever. The game went to extra time, with the scores tied at 9-9. Joel Stransky rescued his nation with a drop goal when the game was at 12-12, earning the Springboks their first Web Ellis Cup.

1999 - Australia (Wales)

The Wallabies became the first nation to win two World Cups after bagging the 1999 edition in Wales. They overcame Ireland, Romania and the United States in their pool to progress to the quarter-final. Australia eliminated hosts Wales in the quarters by 24-9 and faced defending champions South Africa in a tense semi-final match.

South Africa's Jannie De Beer took the match into extra time after capitalising on an Australian penalty in the last minute. However, Stephen Larkham's 48-metre drop goal denied them the opportunity to reach a second consecutive final as Australia progressed. The Wallabies comfortably beat France 35-12 in the final in Cardiff.

2003 - England (Australia)

After a decent campaign, England bagged their first Web Ellis Cup on Australian soil. They topped their group after beating South Africa, Samoa, Uruguay and Georgia. England's memorable performance thrashing Uruguay 111-13. They then eliminated Wales in the quarters, thanks to Johnny Wilkinson's drop goal.

Wilkinson also despatched five penalties and three drop goals against France, sending his nation to the finals against hosts Australia. Their stars aligned as Wilkinson again rescued them with a drop goal to secure the title.

2007 - South Africa (France)

France hosted the sixth edition of the tournament as the Springboks bagged their second title. South Africa destroyed defending champions England 36-0 in their group, then overcame Tonga, Samoa and the United States to secure a quarter-final berth.

The Springboks eliminated Fiji by 37-20 in the quarters before overcoming Argentina in the semis. They met England for the second time in the 2007 competition and won 15-6 after converting five penalties.

2011 - New Zealand (New Zealand)

Hosts New Zealand walked away with their second Web Ellis Cup since winning the first edition. The All Blacks beat France, Tonga, Canada and Japan in their pool before sending Argentina home after thrashing them 33-10 in the quarters.

Next for New Zealand came Australia in the semis, and the All Blacks won 20-6 to set up a final against France. The hosts narrowly beat France 8-7 at Eden Park, ending their 24-year-long drought.

2015 - New Zealand (England)

The All Blacks successfully defended the title in 2015, becoming the first and only nation to do so. They began with easy wins in their group against Argentina, Georgia, Tonga and Nambia. New Zealand thrashed France 62-13 in the quarters, then knocked out South Africa 20-18 in the semi-final.

New Zealand and Australia met in the final at Twickenham Stadium in London. The All Blacks beat the Wallabies 34-17 to secure the coveted title.

Who won the last Rugby World Cup?

The Springboks of South Africa won the latest edition of the tournament in 2019. They beat England in the final to secure their third title in history, tying with New Zealand in most World Cups won.

2019 - South Africa (Japan)

South Africa became the first team to win the World Cup despite losing a match in the pool stage. The Springboks finished second in Pool B after losing 23-12 to New Zealand in their opening fixture. Victories against Italy, Namibia, and Canada helped them secure a slot in the quarters against hosts Japan.

The Springboks thrashed Japan 26-3 before overcoming Wales 19-16 in the semis. They stunned favourites, England, by winning 32-12 and making history.

Rugby World Cup winners and captains

Since the tournament's inception in 1987, several captains have lifted the trophy and written their names in rugby history. New Zealand's Richie McCawis the only skipper to lift the title twice. Below is a list of Rugby World Cup-winning captains, teams, and their years of success.

Rugby World Cup 2023

France will host the 10th edition of the tournament from 8 September to 28 October 2023. The final will take place at Stade de France in Paris. According to experts, France, New Zealand, and South Africa are the event's favourites.

Hosts France are the reigning Ireland Grand Slam champions, while New Zealand are three-time World Cup winners alongside defending champions South Africa.

England's World Cup squad in 2022: Which players will represent The Three Lions this World Cup?

Football

Some people believe one of the past Rugby World Cup winners will emerge victorious in the 2023 tournament in France. However, the possibility of a surprise package could also occur.

Sports Brief recently disclosed details about Denver Nuggets coach Michael Malone, including his life history, career, and family. Michael is the son of the late great coach Brendan Malone.

Michael helped his team win a championship after a 47-year drought. Follow the above link to discover more about him.

Year	Winners	Runner-up	Score
2019	South Africa	England	32-12
2015	New Zealand	Australia	34-17
2011	New Zealand	France	8-7
2007	South Africa	England	15-6
2003	England	Australia	20-17
1999	Australia	France	35-12
1995	South Africa	New Zealand	15-12
1991	Australia	England	12-6
1987	New Zealand	France	29-9

Captain	Team	Year
David Kirk	New Zealand	1987
Nick Farr-Jones	Australia	1991
Francois Pienaar	South Africa	1995
John Eales	Australia	1999
Martin Johnson	England	2003
John Smit	South Africa	2007
Richie McCaw	New Zealand	2011, 2015
Siya Kolisi	South Africa	2019