The South African and Italian rugby union federations have applied to host either the 2015 or 2019 Rugby World Cup.
Reuters reports that South Africa’s newly-elected Jacob Zuma-led government has agreed to underwrite the costs of staging the tournament. The Italian Senate has approved financial support for the Italian bid. Costs, including providing guarantees to the IRB, have turned off would-be hosts including Australia, Scotland and Ireland.
The South Africa bid would use the stadia being built for the 2010 World Cup to stage the matches, with the 90,000-seat Soccer City stadium earmarked for the opening and final match.
England and Japan are the other two countries currently in the frame to host one of the events.
