South Africa and Italy both officially confirmed today they will rival England for the right to the host the 2015 Rugby World Cup.
Japan are expected to rubber-stamp their bid tomorrow and all four competing unions will travel to Dublin on May 13 to present their cases to the International Rugby Board.
South Africa, Italy and Japan are also pitching for the 2019 World Cup. A decision on the host unions for both events will be confirmed by the IRB on July 28 after a specially convened council meeting.
The £80million tournament fee demanded by the IRB has proven a major stumbling block for the unions bidding for 2015 in such tough economic conditions.
But South Africa, the 1995 World Cup hosts, received clearance to bid after striking a funding deal with the national government.
Italy and Japan also have major central funding support while England have agreed a package with the British government.
South Africa's bid for 2015 or 2019 will lean heavily on the investment and infrastructure improvements currently being undertaken ahead of the 2010 FIFA World Cup.
South Africa Rugby Union president Oregon Hoskins said: 'The government has been very supportive and they have provided the financial backing to allow us to complete what we believe is a compelling case to bring the Rugby World Cup back home.
'South Africa in this day and age is set up to host the very biggest global sporting events and we believe we would offer rugby an unrivalled showcase for the game.'
Should South Africa's bid succeed, the final would be played at the new 90,000-capacity Soccer City in Johannesburg.
'South Africa is spending billions on upgrading our infrastructure and on venues to host the FIFA World Cup next year and the legacy of that tournament offers rugby an incredible opportunity to put on a spectacular tournament in ideal conditions,' said Mark Alexander, the bid committee chairman.
A successful Italian bid for 2015 would see the World Cup taken to a new territory for the first time and away from the established foundation unions.
The Federazione Italiana Rugby also has government support and sports minister Rocco Crimi will be present in Dublin on May 13 along with Italy captain Sergio Parisse.
'Italy is now ready to live one of the most important moments of its rugby history,' said FIR chairman Giancarlo Dondi.
'We firmly believe that a World Cup hosted in Italy would not only be an excellent opportunity for our country from an economic perspective, but would also provide all our rugby supporters from every corner of the world with an amazing celebration of rugby.'
