England rugby fans will never forget the day Jonny Wilkinson’s last-gasp drop goal secured a historic World Cup win in 2003.
It was the first time — and remains the only time — a nation from the northern hemisphere has won rugby union’s famous William Webb Ellis Cup, so named after the man credited as the creator of rugby football.
Australia, New Zealand and South Africa have otherwise shared a stranglehold on the Rugby World Cup in the men’s game, with European teams unable change that status quo at the 2023 tournament in France, with both the hosts and world No.1 side Ireland crashing out in the last eight.
In this article The Sporting News details some of the Rugby World Cup’s history, listing its finals and winners since inception in 1987.
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Who has won the most Rugby World Cups?
Both New Zealand and South Africa have three Rugby World Cup titles to their name, with the All Blacks winning the first ever tournament in 1987; then consecutive World Cups in 2011 and 2015. The Springboks completed an emotional success in 1995 in front of the watching Nelson Mandela and have since lifted the Webb Ellis trophy in 2007 and 2019 — beating England on both occasions. Both nations will be gunning to be the first to make it four wins in Saturday’s 2023 RWC final.
Australia have won it twice — in 1991 and 1999 — while England’s 2003 win remains their only victory on the world stage. France, hosts this time around in 2023, have been beaten in the final on three occasions, with the likes of Scotland, Ireland, Wales and Argentina all failing to go beyond the semifinals.
That Jonny Wilkinson drop goal from the 2003 Rugby World Cup Final 🥶 #RWC2023 coming to #SkySportNZ soon, get up for it! 📺🏉 pic.twitter.com/SV4tuqbzwu
— Sky Sport NZ (@skysportnz) August 28, 2023
List all Rugby World Cup final winners
This table shows all the finals since the World Cup began in 1987 with the southern hemisphere’s domination of the tournament apparent.
| Year | Final result (winner in bold) |
| 1987 | New Zealand 29-9 France |
| 1991 | Australia 12-6 England |
| 1995 | South Africa 15-12 New Zealand (aet) |
| 1999 | Australia 35-12 France |
| 2003 | England 20-17 Australia (aet) |
| 2007 | South Africa 15-6 England |
| 2011 | New Zealand 8-7 France |
| 2015 | New Zealand 34-17 Australia |
| 2019 | South Africa 32-12 England |
| 2023 | South Africa v New Zealand |