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Cape Town - As South Africa wakes up to the realisation they won't be hosting the 2023 Rugby World Cup, the news that Rugby Africa's own two votes went to eventual winners, France, is an extra bitter pill to swallow.
READ: SA Rugby 'bitterly disappointed' at World Cup snub
READ: Twitter explodes as France awarded RWC 2023
The secret voting process that took place is convoluted to say the least and is best explained slowly...
12 countries and 6 confederations got to vote for the hosts of the 2023 World Cup.
Each of the 12 countries either had 1, 2 or 3 votes dependent on their tier / stature in world rugby, while each of the 6 confederations had 2 votes.
The total number of votes amounted to 39, making 20 votes the sought after magical majority number to be awarded the tournament.
The three potential candidates - France, South Africa and Ireland - were not permitted a vote.
In the first round of voting, France received 18 votes, South Africa 13 and Ireland 8.
No country thus achieved an overall majority, meaning the lowest ranked contender (Ireland) were eliminated and a second round of voting took place.
In that second round, France received 24 votes, while South Africa got 15.
So, basically, 6 of Ireland's 8 votes went to France, while South Africa picked up the remaining 2.
According to reports, this is what the voting breakdown looked like:
ROUND 1
France - 18
Scotland 3
Italy 3
Japan 2
Georgia 1
Romania 1
Asia 2
South America 2
Europe 2
Africa 2
South Africa - 13
Wales 3
New Zealand 3
Australia 3
Argentina 3
*Oceania 1
Ireland - 8
England 3
Canada 1
USA 1
North America 2
*Oceania 1
*Oceania split their two votes between South Africa and Ireland
ROUND 2
France - 24
Scotland 3
Italy 3
Japan 2
Georgia 1
Romania 1
Canada 1
USA 1
*England 2
Asia 2
South America 2
Europe 2
Africa 2
North America 2
South Africa - 15
Wales 3
New Zealand 3
Australia 3
Argentina 3
Oceania 2
*England 1
*England split their 3 second round votes 2/1 in favour of France
Interesting to note is the following:
- South Africa's fellow SANZAAR nations stuck with South Africa in both rounds
- France and Ireland's fellow Six Nations opponents were split, while Wales even voted for South Africa
- Japan, who have a team (Sunwolves) in Super Rugby, voted for France. Ouch!
- The two African confederation votes went to France. Double ouch!
That last one will sting in particular, considering the fact the Africa confederation have their headquarters in the same building in Cape Town as SA Rugby!
But is that surprising when one considers their president, Abdelaziz Bougja, is a French citizen of Moroccan descent, who has been living in France for 30 years ... ?
Breakdown of those countries / confederations who voted and the number of votes of each:
Countries
Australia (3 votes), England (3), New Zealand (3), Scotland (3), Wales (3), Italy (3), Argentina (3), Canada (1), Japan (2), Georgia (1), Romania (1), USA (1)
Confederations
Asia Rugby (2), Oceania Rugby (2), Rugby Africa (2), Rugby Americas North (2), Rugby Europe (2), Sudamerica Rugby (2)
