The story of the Rugby World Cup: South Africa win in 07 as Ireland collapse

With just under four weeks to go until the 2023 Rugby World Cup kicks off in Paris, we're looking back at the history of the tournament from its origins in New Zealand and Australia 36 years ago, to its tenth instalment in France this September.

This week, we're looking back at the 2007 tournament which was also played in France.

For the second time, South Africa were crowned world champions holding off England in another tryless final. The decider may have been an anticlimax, but as a whole the 2007 tournament arguably produced more drama than we’ve ever seen.

The Hosts

In 2003, France were awarded hosting rights for the 2007 tournament, taking the IRB council vote 21-3 against the bid from England.

As had become customary in northern hemisphere World Cups, the host country spread the wealth around, with the Millennium Stadium in Cardiff given three pool games and a quarter-final, while Murrayfield in Edinburgh was allowed host two of Scotland’s Pool C matches.

Ireland had been scheduled to play a number of their own games at Lansdowne Road, but had to withdraw the privilege once their plans to redevelop what is now the Aviva Stadium were set in stone. With hindsight, those home games would have come in handy.

Stade de France was the flagship venue, hosting the final and both semi-finals, while a second Parisian venue was also used; Parc des Princes – home of Paris Saint Germain – was used for the bronze medal game.

Stade Velodrome in Marseille was also one of the major stadiums in the French bid, while Lens, Lyon, Bordeaux, Nantes, Toulouse, Saint-Etienne and Montpellier each hosted pool games.

The 2007 RWC also saw a major step-up in the size of venues used, with Stade de la Mosson in Montpellier’s 33,900 capacity being the