Who has won the most Rugby World Cups?

In 1987, Australia and New Zealand co-hosted the inaugural Rugby World Cup, with sixteen nations participating. New Zealand became the first world champions after defeating France 29-9 in the final. 

England hosted the 1991 Rugby World Cup, which saw the introduction of 35 nations qualifying for the remaining eight places after the 1987 quarter-finalists qualified automatically. Australia defeated England 12-6 in the final. 

After the dawn of democracy in South Africa in 1994, the International Rugby Football Board (IRFB) selected the rainbow nation as host for the 1995 Rugby World Cup. South Africa reached the final against their arch-rivals New Zealand, coming out on top 15-12 in extra time after Springbok fly-half Joel Stransky scored the winning points from a drop-goal.

The number of participating nations increased from sixteen to twenty for the 1999 Rugby World Cup in Wales, with Australia winning their second title after beating France 35-12 in the final. 

The 2003 edition of the Rugby World Cup was in Australia, with the host nation making it to the final but being denied their third Webb Ellis Cup after England fly-half Jonny Wilkinson's drop goal saw his team emerge as world champions after the score ended 20-17 in extra time. 

In 2007, France was the host nation of the Rugby World Cup, with some matches also being held in Scotland and Wales. South Africa secured the second Webb Ellis Cup after defeating defending champions England 15-6 in Stade de France. 

New Zealand had not won the Rugby World Cup since the first tournament in 1987, but after being selected as the host nation for the 2011 edition, they claimed their second title after edging France 8-7 in the final. 

The Rugby World Cup finals returned to England for the second time in 2015, with New Zealand becoming the first nation to win back-to-back Webb Ellis Cups after defeating Australia 34-17 in the final. 

In 2019, Japan became the first country outside traditional rugby nations to host the Rugby World Cup. South Africa defeated England 32-12 in the final, equaling New Zealand's record of winning three titles. 

France hosted their second Rugby World Cup in 2023, where arch-rivals South Africa and New Zealand were vying to become the first nation to win the Webb EllisCup four times, with the Springboks securing their second victory over New Zeland in a final after the score ended 12-11, and their fourth Rugby World Cup title.

Notable records achieved by individuals at all Rugby World Cups since its inception:

Jonny Wilkinson (England) holds the record for the most points scored by an individual, with 277 during his Ruby World Cup career.

Jonah Lomu (New Zealand) and Bryan Habana (South Africa) share the record for most World Cup tournament tries, with 15 each, but Lomu achieved that feat in two tournaments, whilst Habana did it in three. 

Here is the list of the most successful teams to have won the Rugby World Cup.