History
The first Rugby World Cup was hosted by Australia and New Zealand in 1987, amid doubts that there were 16 teams good enough to make an international tournament worthwhile. New Zealand's 70-6 victory over Italy in a first-round match reinforced the doubts, but the tournament was pronounced a success and the International Rugby Football Board (IRFB) decided to hold the tournament every four years, as with soccer's World Cup.
The 1991 tournament was hosted by the United Kingdom, Ireland, and France. The eight quarter-finalists from 1987 were automatic entries and 32 other IRFB members competed in qualifying rounds to fill the remaining eight places.
Because of its apartheid policies, South Africa wasn't allowed to take part in the first two Rugby World Cups, but the country was readmitted to the IRFB in 1992 and it hosted the 1995 tournament. South Africa also won the championship, beating New Zealand, 15-12, in an exciting final.
Wales was the nominal host in 1999, but matches were actually played in five different countries, creating ticketing and scheduling problems that drastically cut into attendance at several matches. The high point of the tournament was France's upset of New Zealand in their semi-final match.
The 2003 World Cup tournament was again co-hosted by Australia and New Zealand.
The World Cup champion is awarded the William Webb Ellis trophy, named for the Rugby School student who supposedly invented the sport by picking the ball up and running with it during a soccer match in 1823.