2003 Rugby World Cup qualifying


The qualification process for the 2003 Rugby World Cup began during the pool stages of the 1999 tournament in Wales, during which the quarterfinalists were awarded automatic qualification for the 2003 event. A further twelve teams qualified through regional tournaments and the repechage process.

Qualifiers

Qualifiers

A total of 79 teams from around the world were involved in some stage of qualifying.
RegionTeams entered
qualifying
process
Qualifying
berths
Repechage
berths
Qualified
team
Repechage
team
Africa1211
Americas1721
Asia1111
Europe3241
Oceania921
TOTALS81105

Repechage qualification

In qualification for the 2003 Rugby World Cup, there was one position for an African nation, as well as the possibility of repechage qualification. Namibia qualified, joining automatic qualifiers South Africa at the competition in Australia.

Pool A

Match schedule

Pool B

Match schedule

Round 2

Final standings

Match Schedule

Round 3

Pool A

Match schedule

Pool B

Match schedule

Round 4

Namibia won the round based on total tries scored. Namibia qualified to Pool A of the 2003 Rugby World Cup as Africa 1. Tunisia advanced to Repechage.

Americas qualification

In qualification for the 2003 Rugby World Cup, a number of positions were available to Americas nations. Canada, Uruguay and the USA would eventually qualify.

Round 1 (North)

Winner qualified to Round 2.

Round 1 (South)

Valid also as 2001 South American Rugby Championship "B"
Winner qualified to Round 2.

Final Standings

Match Schedule

Round 2

Winner qualified to Round 3.

Round 3

Match schedule

Round 4

Top two qualified to World Cup as Americas 1 and 2. 3rd Place to Repechage.

Final Standings

Match Schedule

Asia

In qualification for the 2003 Rugby World Cup, there was one position available to the Asia qualifiers, as well as the possibility of further repechage qualification. Japan would go on to qualify for the competition.

Round 1 – April 2002

Pool A

Match schedule

Pool B

Match schedule

Pool C

Match schedule

Round 2 – May, 2002

Match schedule

Round 3 – June–July, 2002

Winner qualified to Pool B of 2003 Rugby World Cup as Asia 1. Runner-up advanced to Repechage.

Match schedule