South Africa’s latest move could seriously jeopardise Ireland’s Rugby World Cup bid

Please don't take this away from us.

It was all going so well for Ireland, we'd submitted our bid and had some deadly promo videos to go along with it. Go on, watch it. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LxVR55TLDik&t=173s And when you're done that one go ahead and have a wee gander at this video here. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TIK2LLho5Dw If only Rugby World Cups were awarded by how many hairs you can get to stand on the back of peoples necks we'd be flying. Unfortunately, that isn't the case. Ireland's two rivals to host the competition are France and South Africa and things are starting to heat up ahead of official presentations on 24 September. According to The Times, South Africa have revealed details of their World Cup bid that makes for good reading. Their government have approved a financial package worth €170m, which is larger than the £120m Ireland secured but more tellingly is the promise of how many tickets that will be available if the tournament is hosted in the Southern Hemisphere. The President of South African Rugby, Mark Alexander, has revealed that the country will aim to sell 2.9m tickets for the tournament which is one million more than Ireland. France has also revealed that they have secured €390m to fund their World Cup ambitions. However, in an effort to help Ireland's bid in the official presentation at the end of September, Taoiseach Leo Varadkar has announced that he will travel alongside Brian O'Driscoll, IRFU CEO, Phillip Browne and Bid Chairman, Dick Spring to deliver the key messages of Ireland's bid. Speaking to the Belfast Telegraph Varadkar said: "With the co-operation I have seen to date between North and South, public and private, rugby and non-rugby sporting organisations, I am very hopeful of us landing the prize." The official vote to see who will host the tournament will take place on 15 November.