Rugby World Cup

The South African Rugby Union will bid to host either the 2015 or 2019 World Cup, after delivering its bid to World Cup Ltd in Dublin on Thursday.

SARU president, Oregan Hoskins, announced at a media conference in Johannesburg that positive discussions with Government had seen the last brick fall into place.

"The Government has been very supportive and they have provided the financial backing to allow us to complete what we believe is a compelling case to bring the World Cup back home," said Hoskins.

"South Africa in this day and age is set up to host the very biggest global sporting events and we believe we would offer Rugby an unrivalled showcase for the game.

"Players, spectators and media would enjoy world-class facilities in purpose-built stadia; our financial model and time zoning would maximise commercial revenues and we’re a rugby-hungry country that can promise ideal playing conditions at a time of year when the Rugby World Cup would be the only sports event in the national imagination."

World Cup-winning captain John Smit and former IRB Player of the Year Bryan Habana have joined other leading South Africans who are acting as ambassadors for the Bid.

"The World Cup is special to me and to all South Africans - and not just because I played in a winning team," said Habana.

"The 1995 World Cup was a magical time in South Africa’s national life and I believe that if it were to return here we'd provide the stage to create even more special memories - both for South Africa and world rugby."

Mark Alexander, Bid Committee chairman and SARU deputy president, said the newly-refurbished 90 000-capcity Soccer City in Johannesburg would be the venue for the Opening and Final Matches of any South African World Cup and other new stadiums, as well as existing rugby stadiums, would be used.

"South Africa is spending billions on upgrading our infrastructure and on venues to host the FIFA World Cup next year and the legacy of that tournament offers rugby an incredible opportunity to put on a spectacular tournament in ideal conditions," said Alexander.

"Government has backed us every step of the way in our discussions with them and both the financial and logistical support they offer would allow a hugely successful commercial tournament to be held without any problems.

"Rugby must publicly thank our Government and particularly the sports minister, Makhenkesi Stofile, and his department for their unstinting help in producing this bid."

Also attending the launch were Ali Bacher, Danny Jordaan and Moss Mashishi, who are among an illustrious group of iconic figures in South African sport and business named as Bid Ambassadors.

This group including Rian Oberholzer, Morne du Plessis, Sam Ramsamy, Gideon Sam, Imtiaz Patel, Sol Kerzner and Johan Rupert have lent their experience and advice in to the bid.