The South African bid to host the 2023 Rugby World Cup is moving closer to potential success with the recent decision by the United States bid committee to pull out of the running for a chance to host the flagship competition in eight years time.

The number of bidding nations was decreased to four following the American decision to remove themselves from contention as South Africa will now face competition from Ireland, France and Italy, as they are likely to submit a tender before next year’s deadline.

The three European bid contenders are all from the same region, and France hosted a World Cup in 2007, so the bid is expected to go down to a race between South Africa and Italy, according to many pundits.

According to South African Rugby Union (SARU) chief executive Jurie Roux, his organisation is set to put forward an excellent bid that will be a compelling possibility for world rugby’s IRB.

“Last week the 1995 Springbok Rugby World Cup squad regathered to celebrate their momentous victory 20 years ago,” said Roux to the media, according to SuperSport.

“There was unprecedented media interest in the occasion and we were reminded of the profound effect the tournament had on this country and the enthusiasm with which this country opened its arms to rugby,” he added.

“That hunger has been sharpened over the years with a whole generation having grown up envying the experience of their parents. The South African Rugby Union would very much like to give them the opportunity to share our passion for rugby with the rest of the world, 28 years on from that famous day.”

The 2019 Rugby World Cup will be hosted in Japan, and South Africa will be hoping that 2023 can see a repeat of 1995, when the country was selected to host the event, going on to be crowned world champions after beating the All Blacks in the final.