Over two centuries of competitive and physical games characterized by oval-shaped balls and contact between players, commonly known as rugby.
Rugby's Bicentennial Bash and Advancements Ahead
2023 is a milestone year for rugby, marking two centuries since William Webb Ellis supposedly picked up the ball and started a new game. This year, we celebrate two centuries of rugby, filled with passion, sportsmanship, and thrilling moments, just as Webb Ellis did back then.
As excitement mounts for the Rugby World Cup 2023 in France, we'll witness the best of the best on and off the pitch. With teams battling it out to capture the Webb Ellis Cup, France will host an epic 200th birthday celebration, matching the energy of the groundbreaking women's edition in New Zealand in 2022.
Changing Times for Rugby
In this fast-paced, post-pandemic world, rugby must adapt to stay relevant and appealing. To achieve this, World Rugby started 2023 with a global ambition in mind – to celebrate 200 years of rugby amidst a grand spectacle. New legal directives were introduced on January 1, aiming to speed up gameplay, improve safety, and overall experience. Additionally, less reliance on the television match official, reduced waiting times before scrums and lineouts, and the introduction of "shot clocks" are expected to bring positive changes.
The Rugby World Cup 2023 will set the stage for further improvements at the elite, community, and youth levels. World Rugby values your feedback, so they're launching the sport's largest-ever consultation – working with you to develop a better, stronger, and more captivating sport.
The Olympics and WXV
The start of sevens qualification for the Paris 2024 Olympic Games, the redesign of the HSBC World Rugby Sevens Series, and the return of U20 competitions are notable events to keep an eye on this year. Additionally, the introduction of the three-tiered WXV competition, demonstrating World Rugby's commitment to women in rugby, starts in October 2023. This competition will support increased competition at the 2025 Rugby World Cup in England, while also providing a structure for the annual men's competition that could start in 2024.
A Decade of Top-Tier Rugby Events
The growth ambition of rugby will be on full display as we head towards the USA hosting its first 15s Rugby World Cups in the future. Chile will make its Rugby World Cup debut this year, and France will no doubt be its warmest and most vivacious host. Check out our 2023 Rugby Wrap article to see where the teams are standing so far, and explore our Rugby World Cup 2023 article for a look at past hosting countries.
Key Tournaments and Initiatives
The TikTok Six Nations and the Guinness Six Nations delivered edge-of-your-seat rugby this year, with Ireland winning the Men's Six Nations and England securing a second successive TikTok Women's Six Nations Grand Slam. Keep an eye out for more exciting tournaments in 2024.
The "Unstoppable" campaign, introduced by World Rugby in 2019, shares the motivational stories of 15 extraordinary women from around the world. Regional associations and member unions have conducted their own "Unstoppables" searches, with remarkable results. Look out for more details on this in a future article.
Supersport's 2023 campaign is focusing on women's sport, shining a spotlight on the Here For Her initiative. Check out our detailed Here For Her 2023 article for more information on this movement.
An Unwavering Focus on Player Welfare
Player welfare will continue to underpin everything in rugby, as the sport evolves and expands. Independent, peer-reviewed research from World Rugby's renowned smart mouthguard studies will be released this year, shedding new light on the situation and driving further improvements in player welfare-supporting regulations, procedures, and laws.
Additionally, the ongoing commitment will center on dedication to ex-player support and education, ensuring rugby remains a sport with a strong focus on players' well-being.
Wagering on Rugby
South Africa's online betting sites offer great choices for rugby betting. Check out our Rugby Promotions 2023 article to see what's on offer right now, and keep an eye out for more rugby promotions as we get closer to the RWC 2023. Some excellent picks for betting sites are Supabets, bet.co.za, Gbets, and Betway. Let's celebrate 200 years of rugby by giving one of these top betting sites a try while watching some fantastic rugby action!
- To maintain its appeal and remain relevant in the ever-changing landscape, rugby is making significant advancements for future events like the 2024 Olympics and 2025 Rugby World Cup in England.
- A new consultation by World Rugby, the largest in the sport's history, will focus on improving rugby at the elite, community, and youth levels, aiming for a better, stronger, and more captivating game overall.
- Rugby fans can expect exciting new competitions like the WXV series, which demonstrates World Rugby's commitment to growing women's rugby, starting in October 2023.
- Betting on rugby events is an enjoyable way to celebrate two centuries of passion and sportsmanship. South Africa's online betting sites provide numerous options for rugby betting, making it easy to place a wager during the Rugby World Cup 2023 or other key tournaments.
