Watch: Fans swamp Boks’ RWC opponents Spain

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Spain beat Portugal 33-28 in Madrid this past Sunday to become the 16th team to qualify for the 2023 Rugby World Cup, in the process booking a date with reigning champions the Springboks.

The victory assures them second place in the group. Georgia, who had already booked their place in France, top the pool. The pair will meet in Tbilisi next week to decide the winners of the Rugby Europe champions.

“It’s been a long journey and a very tough qualification process,” head coach Santiago Santos told World Rugby. “We lost our first three games and, after that, we have won six in a row.

“The performance of the team was amazing and we are very excited to be going to the Rugby World Cup.”

In the 20-nation World Cup in France next year, Spain will be in Pool B with holders South Africa, Scotland, Ireland and a team from the ongoing Asia/Pacific qualifiers.

Spain’s only previous appearance at the World Cup was in 1999 when they were also in a pool with South Africa and Scotland as well as Uruguay. They lost all three matches, scoring 18 points and conceding 122.

© Agence France-Presse

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Devin Hermanus