While most rugby-playing nations dream of lifting the Webb Ellis Cup, a few have found themselves shut out of the sport\u2019s grandest stage entirely. <\/p>\n
From political sanctions to passport scandals, here are\u00a0three countries that have been banned from competing in the Rugby World Cup \u2014 and why.<\/p>\n
Join the\u00a0RUCK\u2019s WhatsApp community here<\/a>\u00a0and get the latest news sent straight to your messages.<\/p>\n \ud83c\uddff\ud83c\udde6\u00a0#1. South Africa \u2014 Banned from 1987 & 1991 Rugby World Cups<\/p>\n At the height of apartheid, South Africa was a global pariah \u2014 and rugby was no exception.<\/p>\n Due to its institutionalised system of racial segregation, the\u00a0Springboks were barred from all international competition\u00a0by the International Rugby Board (now World Rugby). As a result, they\u00a0missed both the inaugural 1987 Rugby World Cup\u00a0and the 1991 edition.<\/p>\n However, following the dismantling of apartheid laws and democratic reforms in the early 1990s, South Africa was readmitted to international rugby in 1992. Just three years later, the nation famously\u00a0hosted and won the 1995 Rugby World Cup, led by captain Fran\u00e7ois Pienaar and inspired by a unifying handshake from then-president\u00a0Nelson Mandela.<\/p>\n \ud83c\udfc6\u00a0That victory remains one of the most iconic moments in sports history \u2014 a symbol of reconciliation in post-apartheid South Africa.<\/p>\n CONTINUES ON PAGE TWO<\/a><\/p>\n Like this:<\/p>\n Like Loading…<\/p>\n