It's long been expected, but Ireland will have to fight off the Springboks to host the 2023 Rugby World Cup.
The South Africans have failed with bids for the 2011, 2015 and 2019 tournaments, and their CEO Jurie Roux has confirmed that they'll go toe-to-toe with Ireland to secure the 2023 installment.
"We definitely expect to be bidding to host the 2023 Rugby World Cup as we have for the past three tournaments," said Roux.
"By the time the tournament comes round it will be 28 years since Nelson Mandela handed the trophy to Francois Pienaar, and I believe that South Africa is hungry to once again host rugby's greatest occasion."
The South African bid is expected to be the front-runner when it is is officially launched, while France, Italy, Argentina, and a joint American and Canadian bid is also being touted.
Roux cited the country's experience of hosting both rugby and football World Cups in the past, but remained coy about their favourites tag.
"The 1995 Rugby World Cup and the 2010 FIFA World Cup were magnificent occasions for our nation and for the respective sports and the prospect of being able to repeat those unforgettable occasions is very exciting.
"Bidding will mean a lot of hard work and I am sure the competition will be fierce but this country has a unique experience to offer the game's traveling supporters."
Meanwhile, the
Irish Independent report that the head of the Rugby World Cup, Alan Gilpin has said that Ireland have a "fantastic" bid, but stressed that the South Africa are sure to make a strong campaign, having missed three times in a row.
"Ireland have been very vocal about their desire to host the event. It’s very much an Ireland and a Northern Ireland untied bid which is fantastic and has some great qualities to it.
"South Africa have come out very strongly, obviously they've hosted the World Cup in the past a long time ago in 1995 and are very keen to host the Rugby World Cup again and have been a bidder for a number of recent tournaments", he said.
