# Records and statistics of the Rugby World Cup

Rugby World Cup records have been accumulating since the first Rugby World Cup tournament was held in 1987.

## Team records
### Titles

Most titles won :
| Titles | Team | Tournaments |
| 4 | South Africa | 1995, 2007, 2019, 2023 |
| 3 | New Zealand | 1987, 2011, 2015 |
| 2 | Australia | 1991, 1999 |
| 1 | England | 2003 |

### Title win rate

Win rate :
| Win rate | Team |
| 50% | South Africa |
| 30% | New Zealand |
| 20% | Australia |
| 10% | England |

### Most semi-finals

Most semi-finals :
| App | Team | Tournaments |
| 9 | New Zealand | 1987, 1991, 1995, 1999, 2003, 2011, 2015, 2019, 2023 |
| 6 | Australia | 1987, 1991, 1999, 2003, 2011, 2015 |
| 6 | England | 1991, 1995, 2003, 2007, 2019, 2023 |
| 6 | France | 1987, 1995, 1999, 2003, 2007, 2011 |
| 6 | South Africa | 1995, 1999, 2007, 2015, 2019, 2023 |

### Most quarter-finals

Most quarter-finals :
| App | Team | Tournaments |
| 10 | New Zealand | 1987, 1991, 1995, 1999, 2003, 2007, 2011, 2015, 2019, 2023 |
| 10 | France | 1987, 1991, 1995, 1999, 2003, 2007, 2011, 2015, 2019, 2023 |
| 9 | Australia | 1987, 1991, 1995, 1999, 2003, 2007, 2011, 2015, 2019 |
| 9 | England | 1987, 1991, 1995, 1999, 2003, 2007, 2011, 2019, 2023 |
| 8 | Ireland | 1987, 1991, 1995, 2003, 2011, 2015, 2019, 2023 |
| 8 | South Africa | 1995, 1999, 2003, 2007, 2011, 2015, 2019, 2023 |

### Most appearances

Most appearances :
| App | Team(s) |
| 10 | Argentina, Australia, England, France, Ireland, Italy, Japan, New Zealand, Scotland, Wales |
| 9 | Canada, Fiji, Romania, Samoa, Tonga |
| 8 | South Africa, United States |
| 7 | Namibia |
| 6 | Georgia |
* 10 teams appeared in every World Cup:
* Samoa/Western Samoa also qualified for every World Cup but was not invited to the 1987 Rugby World Cup.
* South Africa was banned from competing in 1987 and 1991 due to the sporting boycott of South Africa but appeared in every World Cup since the ban was lifted.

### Points

Most overall log points by a team :
| Log Points | Team | Pld | W | D | L | PF | PA | PD | W% | TB | LB |
| 238 | New Zealand | 64 | 54 | 1 | 9 | 2,888 | 842 | +2,046 | 84.38 | 20 | 0 |
| 186 | South Africa | 50 | 42 | 0 | 8 | 1,720 | 641 | +1,079 | 84.00 | 16 | 2 |
| 156 | Australia | 57 | 44 | 0 | 13 | 1,887 | 845 | +1,042 | 77.19 | 15 | 2 |
| 153 | England | 58 | 42 | 1 | 15 | 1,790 | 822 | +968 | 72.41 | 12 | 1 |
| 147 | France | 58 | 40 | 2 | 16 | 1,823 | 1,027 | +796 | 68.97 | 13 | 3 |
Last updated: 28 October 2023
Most points by a team in a single match :
| Points | Team | Opponent | Score | Date |
| 145 | New Zealand | Japan | 145–17 | 4 June 1995 |
| 142 | Australia | Namibia | 142–0 | 24 October 2003 |
| 111 | England | Uruguay | 111–13 | 2 November 2003 |
| 108 | New Zealand | Portugal | 108–13 | 15 September 2007 |
| 101 | New Zealand | Italy | 101–3 | 14 October 1999 |
| 101 | England | Tonga | 101–10 | 15 October 1999 |

### Margins

Biggest winning margins :
| Margin | Team | Opponent | Score | Date |
| 142 | Australia | Namibia | 142–0 | 24 October 2003 |
| 128 | New Zealand | Japan | 145–17 | 4 June 1995 |
| 98 | New Zealand | Italy | 101–3 | 14 October 1999 |
| 98 | England | Uruguay | 111–13 | 2 November 2003 |
| 96 | France | Namibia | 96–0 | 21 September 2023 |

### Tries

Most tries by a team in a single match :
| Tries | Team | Opponent | Score | Date |
| 22 | Australia | Namibia | 142–0 | 24 October 2003 |
| 21 | New Zealand | Japan | 145–17 | 4 June 1995 |
| 17 | England | Uruguay | 111–13 | 2 November 2003 |
| 16 | New Zealand | Portugal | 108–13 | 15 September 2007 |
| 14 | New Zealand | Italy | 101–3 | 14 October 1999 |
| 14 | France | Namibia | 96–0 | 21 September 2023 |
| 14 | New Zealand | Italy | 96–17 | 29 September 2023 |

## Player records
### Points

Most overall points :
| Points | Name | Team | App. | Tries | Con. | Pen. | Drop | Tournaments |
| 277 | Jonny Wilkinson | England | 19 | 1 | 28 | 58 | 14 | 1999, 2003, 2007, 2011 |
| 227 | Gavin Hastings | Scotland | 13 | 9 | 39 | 36 | 0 | 1987, 1991, 1995 |
| 195 | Handré Pollard | South Africa | 17 | 0 | 24 | 46 | 3 | 2015, 2019, 2023 |
| 195 | Michael Lynagh | Australia | 15 | 4 | 36 | 33 | 2 | 1987, 1991, 1995 |
| 191 | Dan Carter | New Zealand | 15 | 3 | 58 | 17 | 3 | 2003, 2007, 2011, 2015 |
    Key: App = Appearances. Con = conversions. Pen = penalties. Drop = drop goals.
Most points in one tournament :
| Points | Name | Team | Tournament |
| 126 | Grant Fox | New Zealand | 1987 |
| 113 | Jonny Wilkinson | England | 2003 |
| 112 | Thierry Lacroix | France | 1995 |
| 105 | Percy Montgomery | South Africa | 2007 |
| 104 | Gavin Hastings | Scotland | 1995 |
Most points in a match by a player :
| Points | Name | Team | Opponent | Date |
| 45 | Simon Culhane | New Zealand | Japan | 4 June 1995 |
| 44 | Gavin Hastings | Scotland | Ivory Coast | 26 May 1995 |
| 42 | Mat Rogers | Australia | Namibia | 25 October 2003 |
| 36 | Tony Brown | New Zealand | Italy | 14 October 1999 |
| 36 | Paul Grayson | England | Tonga | 15 October 1999 |

### Tries

Most overall tries :
| Tries | Name | Team | Tournaments |
| 15 | Jonah Lomu | New Zealand | 1995–1999 |
| 15 | Bryan Habana | South Africa | 2007–2015 |
| 14 | Drew Mitchell | Australia | 2007–2015 |
| 13 | Doug Howlett | New Zealand | 2003–2007 |
| 12 | Adam Ashley-Cooper | Australia | 2007–2019 |
Most tries in one tournament :
| Tries | Name | Team | Tournament |
| 8 | Jonah Lomu | New Zealand | 1999 |
| 8 | Bryan Habana | South Africa | 2007 |
| 8 | Julian Savea | New Zealand | 2015 |
| 8 | Will Jordan | New Zealand | 2023 |
| 7 | Marc Ellis | New Zealand | 1995 |
| Jonah Lomu | New Zealand | 1995 |
| Doug Howlett | New Zealand | 2003 |
| Mils Muliaina | New Zealand | 2003 |
| Drew Mitchell | Australia | 2007 |
| Josh Adams | Wales | 2019 |
Most tries in a match by a player :
| Tries | Name | Team | Opponent | Date |
| 6 | Marc Ellis | New Zealand | Japan | 4 June 1995 |
| 5 | Chris Latham | Australia | Namibia | 25 October 2003 |
| 5 | Josh Lewsey | England | Uruguay | 2 November 2003 |
| 5 | Henry Arundell | England | Chile | 23 September 2023 |
| 4 | John Gallagher | New Zealand | Fiji | 27 May 1987 |
| 4 | Craig Green | New Zealand | Fiji | 27 May 1987 |
| 4 | Ieuan Evans | Wales | Canada | 3 June 1987 |
| 4 | Brian Robinson | Ireland | Zimbabwe | 6 October 1991 |
| 4 | Gavin Hastings | Scotland | Ivory Coast | 26 May 1995 |
| 4 | Chester Williams | South Africa | Samoa | 10 June 1995 |
| 4 | Jonah Lomu | New Zealand | England | 18 June 1995 |
| 4 | Keith Wood | Ireland | United States | 2 October 1999 |
| 4 | Mils Muliaina | New Zealand | Canada | 17 October 2003 |
| 4 | Bryan Habana | South Africa | Samoa | 9 September 2007 |
| 4 | Vereniki Goneva | Fiji | Namibia | 10 September 2011 |
| 4 | Zac Guildford | New Zealand | Canada | 2 October 2011 |
| 4 | Darcy Graham | Scotland | Romania | 30 September 2023 |
Youngest try scorer in a World Cup game
* George North ( Wales), aged 19 years, 166 days (2 tries v Namibia, 26 September 2011)
Oldest try scorer in a World Cup game
* Diego Ormaechea ( Uruguay), aged 40 years, 13 days (v Spain, 2 October 1999)

### Conversions

Most overall conversions :
| Con. | Name | Team | Tournaments |
| 58 | Dan Carter | New Zealand | 2003–2015 |
| 39 | Gavin Hastings | Scotland | 1987–1995 |
| 38 | Richie Mo'unga | New Zealand | 2019–2023 |
| 37 | Grant Fox | New Zealand | 1987–1991 |
| 36 | Michael Lynagh | Australia | 1987–1995 |
Most conversions in one tournament :
| Con. | Name | Team | Tournament |
| 30 | Grant Fox | New Zealand | 1987 |
| 23 | Dan Carter | New Zealand | 2015 |
| 21 | Thomas Ramos | France | 2023 |
| 20 | Michael Lynagh | Australia | 1987 |
| 20 | Simon Culhane | New Zealand | 1995 |
| 20 | Leon MacDonald | New Zealand | 2003 |
| 20 | Nick Evans | New Zealand | 2007 |
| 20 | Richie Mo'unga | New Zealand | 2019 |
Most conversions in a match by a player :
| Con. | Name | Team | Opponent | Date |
| 20 | Simon Culhane | New Zealand | Japan | 4 June 1995 |
| 16 | Mat Rogers | Australia | Namibia | 25 October 2003 |
| 14 | Nick Evans | New Zealand | Portugal | 15 September 2007 |
| 12 | Paul Grayson | England | Tonga | 15 October 1999 |
| 12 | Leon MacDonald | New Zealand | Tonga | 24 October 2003 |
| 12 | Thomas Ramos | France | Namibia | 21 September 2023 |

### Penalty goals

Most overall penalties :
| Pen. | Name | Team | Tournaments |
| 58 | Jonny Wilkinson | England | 1999–2011 |
| 46 | Handré Pollard | South Africa | 2015–2023 |
| 36 | Gavin Hastings | Scotland | 1987–1995 |
| 35 | Gonzalo Quesada | Argentina | 1999–2003 |
| 33 | Michael Lynagh | Australia | 1987–1995 |
| 33 | Andrew Mehrtens | New Zealand | 1995–1999 |
Most penalties in one tournament :
| Pen. | Name | Team | Tournament |
| 31 | Gonzalo Quesada | Argentina | 1999 |
| 26 | Thierry Lacroix | France | 1995 |
| 23 | Jonny Wilkinson | England | 2003 |
| 23 | Handré Pollard | South Africa | 2015 |
| 21 | Grant Fox | New Zealand | 1987 |
| 21 | Elton Flatley | Australia | 2003 |
Most penalties in a match by a player :
| Pen. | Name | Team | Opponent | Date |
| 8 | Gavin Hastings | Scotland | Tonga | 30 May 1995 |
| 8 | Thierry Lacroix | France | Ireland | 10 June 1995 |
| 8 | Gonzalo Quesada | Argentina | Samoa | 10 October 1999 |
| 8 | Matt Burke | Australia | South Africa | 30 October 1999 |
| 7 | Gonzalo Quesada | Argentina | Japan | 16 October 1999 |
| 7 | Jonny Wilkinson | England | Fiji | 20 October 1999 |
| 7 | David Humphreys | Ireland | Argentina | 20 October 1999 |
| 7 | Gonzalo Quesada | Argentina | Ireland | 20 October 1999 |
| 7 | Matt Burke | Australia | France | 6 November 1999 |
| 7 | Piri Weepu | New Zealand | Argentina | 9 October 2011 |
| 7 | Dan Biggar | Wales | England | 26 September 2015 |

### Drop goals

Most overall drop goals :
| Drop | Name | Team | Tournaments |
| 14 | Jonny Wilkinson | England | 1999–2011 |
| 6 | Jannie de Beer | South Africa | 1999 |
| 5 | Rob Andrew | England | 1987–1995 |
| 5 | Gareth Rees | Canada | 1987–1999 |
| 4 | Juan Martín Hernández | Argentina | 2003–2015 |
Most drop goals in one tournament :
| Drop | Name | Team | Tournament |
| 8 | Jonny Wilkinson | England | 2003 |
| 6 | Jannie de Beer | South Africa | 1999 |
| 5 | Jonny Wilkinson | England | 2007 |
| 4 | Juan Martín Hernández | Argentina | 2007 |
| 3 | Jonathan Davies | Wales | 1987 |
| 3 | Rob Andrew | England | 1995 |
| 3 | Andrew Mehrtens | New Zealand | 1995 |
| 3 | Joel Stransky | South Africa | 1995 |
| 3 | Gregor Townsend | Scotland | 1999 |
| 3 | Theuns Kotzé | Namibia | 2011 |
| 3 | Dan Parks | Scotland | 2011 |
| 3 | George Ford | England | 2023 |
Most drop goals in a match by a player :
| Drop | Name | Team | Opponent | Date |
| 5 | Jannie de Beer | South Africa | England | 24 October 1999 |
| 3 | Juan Martín Hernández | Argentina | Ireland | 30 September 2007 |
| 3 | George Ford | England | Argentina | 9 September 2023 |
| 3 | Theuns Kotzé | Namibia | Fiji | 10 September 2011 |
| 3 | Jonny Wilkinson | England | France | 16 November 2003 |

### Appearance statistics

Most appearances, matches :
| App. | Name | Team | Tournaments |
| 26 | Sam Whitelock | New Zealand | 2011–2023 |
| 22 | Agustin Creevy | Argentina | 2011–2023 |
| 22 | Jason Leonard | England | 1991–2003 |
| 22 | Richie McCaw | New Zealand | 2003–2015 |
| 21 | Alun Wyn Jones | Wales | 2007–2019 |
| 21 | James Slipper | Australia | 2011–2023 |
Most appearances, tournaments :
| App. | Name | Team | Tournaments |
| 5 | Brian Lima | Samoa | 1991–2007 |
| 5 | Mauro Bergamasco | Italy | 1999–2015 |
| 5 | Sergio Parisse | Italy | 2003–2019 |
| 4 | Gareth Rees | Canada | 1987–1999 |
| 4 | Pedro Sporleder | Argentina | 1991–2003 |
| 4 | Al Charron | Canada | 1991–2003 |
| 4 | Jason Leonard | England | 1991–2003 |
| 4 | Fabien Galthié | France | 1991–2003 |
| 4 | Carlo Checchinato | Italy | 1991–2003 |
| 4 | George Gregan | Australia | 1995–2007 |
| 4 | Mike James | Canada | 1995–2007 |
| 4 | Rod Snow | Canada | 1995–2007 |
| 4 | Mike Catt | England | 1995–2007 |
| 4 | Alessandro Troncon | Italy | 1995–2007 |
| 4 | Gareth Thomas | Wales | 1995–2007 |
| 4 | Romeo Gontineac | Romania | 1995–2007 |
| 4 | Felipe Contepomi | Argentina | 1999–2011 |
| 4 | Mario Ledesma | Argentina | 1999–2011 |
| 4 | Martín Scelzo | Argentina | 1999–2011 |
| 4 | Jonny Wilkinson | England | 1999–2011 |
| 4 | Nicky Little | Fiji | 1999–2011 |
| 4 | Brian O'Driscoll | Ireland | 1999–2011 |
| 4 | Chris Paterson | Scotland | 1999–2011 |
| 4 | Stephen Jones | Wales | 1999–2011 |
| 4 | James Pritchard | Canada | 2003–2015 |
| 4 | Jamie Cudmore | Canada | 2003–2015 |
| 4 | Giorgi Chkhaidze | Georgia | 2003–2015 |
| 4 | Merab Kvirikashvili | Georgia | 2003–2015 |
| 4 | Paul O'Connell | Ireland | 2003–2015 |
| 4 | Andrea Masi | Italy | 2003–2015 |
| 4 | Martin Castrogiovanni | Italy | 2003–2015 |
| 4 | Dan Carter | New Zealand | 2003–2015 |
| 4 | Keven Mealamu | New Zealand | 2003–2015 |
| 4 | Richie McCaw | New Zealand | 2003–2015 |
| 4 | Dănuț Dumbravă | Romania | 2003–2015 |
| 4 | Ovidiu Tonița | Romania | 2003–2015 |
| 4 | Paulică Ion | Romania | 2003–2015 |
| 4 | Schalk Burger | South Africa | 2003–2015 |
| 4 | Victor Matfield | South Africa | 2003–2015 |
| 4 | Gethin Jenkins | Wales | 2003–2015 |
| 4 | Juan Manuel Leguizamón | Argentina | 2007–2019 |
| 4 | Adam Ashley-Cooper | Australia | 2007–2019 |
| 4 | D. T. H. van der Merwe | Canada | 2007–2019 |
| 4 | Davit Kacharava | Georgia | 2007–2019 |
| 4 | Mamuka Gorgodze | Georgia | 2007–2019 |
| 4 | Rory Best | Ireland | 2007–2019 |
| 4 | Alessandro Zanni | Italy | 2007–2019 |
| 4 | Luke Thompson | Japan | 2007–2019 |
| 4 | Eugene Jantjies | Namibia | 2007–2019 |
| 4 | Alun-Wyn Jones | Wales | 2007–2019 |
| 4 | Agustin Creevy | Argentina | 2011–2023 |
| 4 | Nicolas Sanchez | Argentina | 2011–2023 |
| 4 | James Slipper | Australia | 2011–2023 |
| 4 | Dan Cole | England | 2011–2023 |
| 4 | Courtney Lawes | England | 2011–2023 |
| 4 | Ben Youngs | England | 2011–2023 |
| 4 | Lasha Khmaladze | Georgia | 2011–2023 |
| 4 | Alexander Todua | Georgia | 2011–2023 |
| 4 | Keith Earls | Ireland | 2011–2023 |
| 4 | Conor Murray | Ireland | 2011–2023 |
| 4 | Johnny Sexton | Ireland | 2011–2023 |
| 4 | Shota Horie | Japan | 2011–2023 |
| 4 | Michael Leitch | Japan | 2011–2023 |
| 4 | PJ van Lill | Namibia | 2011–2023 |
| 4 | Sam Whitelock | New Zealand | 2011–2023 |
| 4 | George North | Wales | 2011–2023 |
Most winning appearances :
| App. | Name | Team | Tournaments |
| 23 | Sam Whitelock | New Zealand | 2011–2023 |
| 20 | Richie McCaw | New Zealand | 2003–2015 |
| 19 | Keven Mealamu | New Zealand | 2003–2015 |
| 18 | Sonny Bill Williams | New Zealand | 2011–2019 |
| 17 | François Steyn | South Africa | 2007, 2011, 2019 |
Most losing appearances :
| App. | Name | Team | Tournaments |
| 14 | Eugene Jantjies | Namibia | 2007–2019 |
| 12 | PJ van Lill | Namibia | 2011–2023 |
| 12 | Ovidiu Tonița | Romania | 2003–2015 |
| 12 | D.T.H. van der Merwe | Canada | 2007–2019 |
| 11 | Jacques Burger | Namibia | 2007–2015 |
| 11 | Jamie Cudmore | Canada | 2003–2015 |
| 11 | Tinus du Plessis | Namibia | 2007–2015 |
| 11 | Romeo Gontineac | Romania | 1995–2007 |
| 11 | Hugo Horn | Namibia | 1999–2011 |
| 11 | Merab Kvirikashvili | Georgia | 2003–2015 |
| 11 | Johnny Redelinghuys | Namibia | 2007–2015 |
| 11 | Aranos Coetzee | Namibia | 2015–2023 |
Oldest player to appear in a World Cup match
* Diego Ormaechea, Uruguay, aged 40 years, 26 days (v South Africa, 15 October 1999)
Oldest player to appear in a World Cup final
* Duane Vermeulen, South Africa, aged 37 years, 117 days (v New Zealand, 28 October 2023)
Oldest player to win a World Cup final
* Schalk Brits, South Africa, aged 38 years, 170 days (v England, 2 November 2019)
Youngest player to appear in a World Cup match
* Vasil Lobzhanidze, Georgia, aged 18 years, 340 days (v Tonga, 19 September 2015)
Youngest player to appear in a World Cup final
* Jonah Lomu, New Zealand, aged 20 years, 43 days (v South Africa, 24 June 1995)
Youngest player to win a World Cup final
* François Steyn, South Africa, aged 20 years, 159 days (v England, 20 October 2007)

## By tournament

| Year | Top points scorers | Top try scorers | Team records | Team records | Team records |
| 1987 | 126* – Grant Fox ( New Zealand) 082 – Michael Lynagh ( Australia) 062 – Gavin Hastings ( Scotland) | 6 – Craig Green ( New Zealand) 6 – John Kirwan ( New Zealand) | Most points in a match | 74 | New Zealand (74–13 v Fiji) |
| 1987 | 126* – Grant Fox ( New Zealand) 082 – Michael Lynagh ( Australia) 062 – Gavin Hastings ( Scotland) | 6 – Craig Green ( New Zealand) 6 – John Kirwan ( New Zealand) | Biggest winning margin | 64 | New Zealand (70–6 v Italy) |
| 1987 | 126* – Grant Fox ( New Zealand) 082 – Michael Lynagh ( Australia) 062 – Gavin Hastings ( Scotland) | 6 – Craig Green ( New Zealand) 6 – John Kirwan ( New Zealand) | Most tries in a match | 13 | France (70–12 v Zimbabwe) |
| 1991 | 68 – Ralph Keyes ( Ireland) 66 – Michael Lynagh ( Australia) 61 – Gavin Hastings ( Scotland) | 6 – David Campese ( Australia) 6 – Jean-Baptiste Lafond ( France) | Most points in a match | 55 | Ireland (55–11 v Zimbabwe) |
| 1991 | 68 – Ralph Keyes ( Ireland) 66 – Michael Lynagh ( Australia) 61 – Gavin Hastings ( Scotland) | 6 – David Campese ( Australia) 6 – Jean-Baptiste Lafond ( France) | Biggest winning margin | 44 | Ireland (55–11 v Zimbabwe) Japan (52–8 v Zimbabwe) |
| 1991 | 68 – Ralph Keyes ( Ireland) 66 – Michael Lynagh ( Australia) 61 – Gavin Hastings ( Scotland) | 6 – David Campese ( Australia) 6 – Jean-Baptiste Lafond ( France) | Most tries in a match | 9 | Japan (52–8 v Zimbabwe) |
| 1995 | 112 – Thierry Lacroix ( France) 104 – Gavin Hastings ( Scotland) 084 – Andrew Mehrtens ( New Zealand) | 7 – Jonah Lomu ( New Zealand) 7 – Marc Ellis ( New Zealand) | Most points in a match | 145* | New Zealand (145–17 v Japan) |
| 1995 | 112 – Thierry Lacroix ( France) 104 – Gavin Hastings ( Scotland) 084 – Andrew Mehrtens ( New Zealand) | 7 – Jonah Lomu ( New Zealand) 7 – Marc Ellis ( New Zealand) | Biggest winning margin | 128 | New Zealand (145–17 v Japan) |
| 1995 | 112 – Thierry Lacroix ( France) 104 – Gavin Hastings ( Scotland) 084 – Andrew Mehrtens ( New Zealand) | 7 – Jonah Lomu ( New Zealand) 7 – Marc Ellis ( New Zealand) | Most tries in a match | 21 | New Zealand (145–17 v Japan) |
| 1999 | 102 – Gonzalo Quesada ( Argentina) 101 – Matt Burke ( Australia) 097 – Jannie de Beer ( South Africa) | 8* – Jonah Lomu ( New Zealand) | Most points in a match | 101 | England (101–10 v Tonga) New Zealand (101–3 v Italy) |
| 1999 | 102 – Gonzalo Quesada ( Argentina) 101 – Matt Burke ( Australia) 097 – Jannie de Beer ( South Africa) | 8* – Jonah Lomu ( New Zealand) | Biggest winning margin | 98 | New Zealand (101–3 v Italy) |
| 1999 | 102 – Gonzalo Quesada ( Argentina) 101 – Matt Burke ( Australia) 097 – Jannie de Beer ( South Africa) | 8* – Jonah Lomu ( New Zealand) | Most tries in a match | 14 | New Zealand (101–3 v Italy) |
| 2003 | 113 – Jonny Wilkinson ( England) 103 – Frédéric Michalak ( France) 100 – Elton Flatley ( Australia) | 7 – Doug Howlett ( New Zealand) 7 – Mils Muliaina ( New Zealand) | Most points in a match | 142 | Australia (142–0 v Namibia) |
| 2003 | 113 – Jonny Wilkinson ( England) 103 – Frédéric Michalak ( France) 100 – Elton Flatley ( Australia) | 7 – Doug Howlett ( New Zealand) 7 – Mils Muliaina ( New Zealand) | Biggest winning margin | 142* | Australia (142–0 v Namibia) |
| 2003 | 113 – Jonny Wilkinson ( England) 103 – Frédéric Michalak ( France) 100 – Elton Flatley ( Australia) | 7 – Doug Howlett ( New Zealand) 7 – Mils Muliaina ( New Zealand) | Most tries in a match | 22* | Australia (142–0 v Namibia) |
| 2007 | 105 – Percy Montgomery ( South Africa) 091 – Felipe Contepomi ( Argentina) 067 – Jonny Wilkinson ( England) | 8* – Bryan Habana ( South Africa) | Most points in a match | 108 | New Zealand (108–13 v Portugal) |
| 2007 | 105 – Percy Montgomery ( South Africa) 091 – Felipe Contepomi ( Argentina) 067 – Jonny Wilkinson ( England) | 8* – Bryan Habana ( South Africa) | Biggest winning margin | 95 | New Zealand (108–13 v Portugal) |
| 2007 | 105 – Percy Montgomery ( South Africa) 091 – Felipe Contepomi ( Argentina) 067 – Jonny Wilkinson ( England) | 8* – Bryan Habana ( South Africa) | Most tries in a match | 16 | New Zealand (108–13 v Portugal) |
| 2011 | 62 – Morné Steyn ( South Africa) 52 – James O'Connor ( Australia) 45 – Kurt Morath ( Tonga) | 6 – Chris Ashton ( England) 6 – Vincent Clerc ( France) | Most points in a match | 87 | South Africa (87–0 v Namibia) |
| 2011 | 62 – Morné Steyn ( South Africa) 52 – James O'Connor ( Australia) 45 – Kurt Morath ( Tonga) | 6 – Chris Ashton ( England) 6 – Vincent Clerc ( France) | Biggest winning margin | 87 | South Africa (87–0 v Namibia) |
| 2011 | 62 – Morné Steyn ( South Africa) 52 – James O'Connor ( Australia) 45 – Kurt Morath ( Tonga) | 6 – Chris Ashton ( England) 6 – Vincent Clerc ( France) | Most tries in a match | 12 | South Africa (87–0 v Namibia) Wales (81–7 v Namibia) New Zealand (79–15 v Canada) |
| 2015 | 97 – Nicolás Sánchez ( Argentina) 93 – Handré Pollard ( South Africa) 82 – Bernard Foley ( Australia) | 8* – Julian Savea ( New Zealand) | Most points in a match | 65 | Australia (65–3 v Uruguay) |
| 2015 | 97 – Nicolás Sánchez ( Argentina) 93 – Handré Pollard ( South Africa) 82 – Bernard Foley ( Australia) | 8* – Julian Savea ( New Zealand) | Biggest winning margin | 64 | South Africa (64–0 v United States) |
| 2015 | 97 – Nicolás Sánchez ( Argentina) 93 – Handré Pollard ( South Africa) 82 – Bernard Foley ( Australia) | 8* – Julian Savea ( New Zealand) | Most tries in a match | 10 | South Africa (64–0 v United States) |
| 2019 | 69 – Handré Pollard ( South Africa) 58 – Owen Farrell ( England) 54 – Richie Mo'unga ( New Zealand) | 7 – Josh Adams ( Wales) | Most points in a match | 71 | New Zealand (71–9 v Namibia) |
| 2019 | 69 – Handré Pollard ( South Africa) 58 – Owen Farrell ( England) 54 – Richie Mo'unga ( New Zealand) | 7 – Josh Adams ( Wales) | Biggest winning margin | 63 | New Zealand (63–0 v Canada) |
| 2019 | 69 – Handré Pollard ( South Africa) 58 – Owen Farrell ( England) 54 – Richie Mo'unga ( New Zealand) | 7 – Josh Adams ( Wales) | Most tries in a match | 11 | New Zealand (71–9 v Namibia) |
| 2023 | 75 – Owen Farrell ( England) 74 – Thomas Ramos ( France) 67 – Emiliano Boffelli ( Argentina) | 8* – Will Jordan ( New Zealand) | Most points in a match | 96 | France (96–0 v Namibia) New Zealand (96–17 v Italy) |
| 2023 | 75 – Owen Farrell ( England) 74 – Thomas Ramos ( France) 67 – Emiliano Boffelli ( Argentina) | 8* – Will Jordan ( New Zealand) | Biggest winning margin | 96 | France (96–0 v Namibia) |
| 2023 | 75 – Owen Farrell ( England) 74 – Thomas Ramos ( France) 67 – Emiliano Boffelli ( Argentina) | 8* – Will Jordan ( New Zealand) | Most tries in a match | 14 | France (96–0 v Namibia) New Zealand (96–17 v Italy) |
Note: * denotes an all-time record

## Miscellaneous
### Winning coaches and captains

A foreign coach has never managed a World Cup-winning team.
| Year | Host(s) | Champion | Winning coach | Winning captain |
| 1987 | Australia New Zealand | New Zealand | Brian Lochore | David Kirk |
| 1991 | England France Ireland Scotland Wales | Australia | Bob Dwyer | Nick Farr-Jones |
| 1995 | South Africa | South Africa | Kitch Christie | Francois Pienaar |
| 1999 | Wales England France Ireland Scotland | Australia | Rod MacQueen | John Eales |
| 2003 | Australia | England | Clive Woodward | Martin Johnson |
| 2007 | France Scotland Wales | South Africa | Jake White | John Smit |
| 2011 | New Zealand | New Zealand | Graham Henry | Richie McCaw |
| 2015 | England Wales | New Zealand | Steve Hansen | Richie McCaw |
| 2019 | Japan | South Africa | Rassie Erasmus | Siya Kolisi |
| 2023 | France | South Africa | Jacques Nienaber | Siya Kolisi |

### Discipline

| Team | Red Cards | Tournaments |
| Canada | 4 | 1995, 1995, 1999, 2019 |
| Samoa | 4 | 1991, 2011, 2019, 2023 |
| Tonga | 4 | 1995, 1999, 2007, 2023 |
| Namibia | 3 | 2007, 2023, 2023 |
| Argentina | 2 | 1991, 2019 |
| New Zealand | 2 | 2023, 2023 |
| South Africa | 2 | 1995, 1999 |
| Uruguay | 2 | 2015, 2019 |
| Wales | 2 | 1987, 2011 |

### Draws

| Team | Score | Opponent | Date |
| France | 20–20 | Scotland | 23 May 1987 |
| Canada | 12–12 | Japan | 12 September 2007 |
| Canada | 23–23 | Japan | 27 September 2011 |
| New Zealand | 0–0 | Italy | 12 October 2019 |
| England | 0–0 | France | 12 October 2019 |
| Namibia | 0–0 | Canada | 13 October 2019 |
| Georgia | 18–18 | Portugal | 23 September 2023 |
* $^1$ During the 2019 tournament, Typhoon Hagibis caused the matches New Zealand v Italy, England v France and Namibia v Canada to be cancelled and recorded as 0–0 draws.

### Nil points

| Team | Score | Opponent | Date |
| Ivory Coast | 0–89 | Scotland | 26 May 1995 |
| Canada | 0–20 | South Africa | 3 June 1995 |
| Spain | 0–48 | Scotland | 16 October 1999 |
| Namibia | 0–142 | Australia | 25 October 2003 |
| England | 0–36 | South Africa | 14 September 2007 |
| Romania | 0–42 | Scotland | 18 September 2007 |
| Scotland | 0–40 | New Zealand | 23 September 2007 |
| Namibia | 0–30 | Georgia | 26 September 2007 |
| Namibia | 0–87 | South Africa | 22 September 2011 |
| Fiji | 0–66 | Wales | 2 October 2011 |
| United States | 0–64 | South Africa | 7 October 2015 |
| Samoa | 0–34 | Scotland | 30 September 2019 |
| Canada | 0–63 | New Zealand | 2 October 2019 |
| Russia | 0–35 | Ireland | 3 October 2019 |
| Russia | 0–61 | Scotland | 9 October 2019 |
| New Zealand | 0–0 | Italy | 12 October 2019 |
| England | 0–0 | France | 12 October 2019 |
| Namibia | 0–0 | Canada | 13 October 2019 |
| Romania | 0–76 | South Africa | 17 September 2023 |
| Namibia | 0–96 | France | 21 September 2023 |
| Chile | 0–71 | England | 23 September 2023 |
| Romania | 0–84 | Scotland | 30 September 2023 |
| Uruguay | 0–73 | New Zealand | 5 October 2023 |
* $^1$ During the 2019 tournament, Typhoon Hagibis caused the matches New Zealand v Italy, England v France and Namibia v Canada to be cancelled and recorded as 0–0 draws.

### Highest attendance

* 89,267 – Ireland v Romania, 27 September 2015 at Wembley Stadium, London, England, 2015.

### Lowest attendance

* 2,000 – Argentina v Italy, 28 May 1987 at Lancaster Park, Christchurch, New Zealand, 1987.

### Hosting

* Eden Park in Auckland Park was the first stadium to host the Rugby World Cup Final twice, with the 1987 and 2011 finals having been held there. Twickenham Stadium has also hosted the final twice in 1991 and 2015, as has the Stade de France in 2007 and 2023.
* The record for the city that has been a part of most Rugby World Cups is currently four and is held by Cardiff that hosted matches in 1991, 1999, 2007 and 2015. If the definition of "city" includes its metropolitan area, Paris has also hosted matches in four tournaments. The city of Paris hosted matches in 1991, its adjacent suburb of Saint-Denis hosted matches in 1999 and 2023, and both cities hosted matches in 2007. Edinburgh and Toulouse hosted matches in three tournaments.

### Head-to-Head

The highest number of Head-to-Head matches between two nations currently stands at eight meetings, encompassing four teams (Australia, France, New Zealand, and Wales) in two Rugby World Cup rivalries. The following table lists the Head-to-Head statistics of the Rugby World Cup, ranging from the inaugural tournament in 1987 to the latest tournament in 2023. It is organised first numerically, with the more Head-to-Head meetings appearing at the top of the table and the fewer meetings, such as one meeting between two nations appearing at the bottom of the table, and second, alphabetically by teams.
| Legend |
| R1 | Round 1 (Pool stage) |
| R2 | Round 2 (Quarter-Final Playoff / Last 16) |
| QF | Quarter-finals |
| SF | Semi-finals |
| 3rd | 3rd/4th place playoff (Bronze final) |
| F | Final |
| Games | Team 1 | Head-2-Head Wins (Draws) | Team 2 | Year(s) | Rounds |
| 8 | Australia | 5–3 | Wales | 1987, 1991, 1999, 2007, 2011, 2015, 2019, 2023 | 3rd, R1, QF, R1, 3rd, R1, R1, R1 |
| 8 | France | 3–5 | New Zealand | 1987, 1999, 2003, 2007, 2011, 2011, 2015, 2023 | F, SF, 3rd, QF, R1, F, QF, R1 |
| 7 | Australia | 3–4 | England | 1987, 1991, 1995, 2003, 2007, 2015, 2019 | R1, F, QF, F, QF, R1, QF |
| 7 | Italy | 0–6 (& 1 Draw) | New Zealand | 1987, 1991, 1999, 2003, 2007, 2019, 2023 | R1, R1, R1, R1, R1, R1, R1 |
| 6 | England | 3–2 (& 1 Draw) | France | 1991, 1995, 2003, 2007, 2011, 2019 | QF, 3rd, SF, SF, QF, R1 |
| 6 | England | 1–5 | South Africa | 1999, 2003, 2007, 2007, 2019, 2023 | QF, R1, R1, F, F, SF |
| 6 | New Zealand | 3–3 | South Africa | 1995, 1999, 2003, 2015, 2019, 2023 | F, 3rd, QF, SF, R1, F |
| 5 | Argentina | 0–5 | England | 1995, 2011, 2019, 2023, 2023 | R1, R1, R1, R1, 3rd |
| 5 | Australia | 4–1 | Ireland | 1987, 1991, 1999, 2003, 2011 | QF, QF, R1, R1, R1 |
| 5 | Fiji | 1–4 | Wales | 2007, 2011, 2015, 2019, 2023 | R1, R1, R1, R1, R1 |
| 5 | New Zealand | 5–0 | Scotland | 1987, 1991, 1995, 1999, 2007 | QF, 3rd, QF, QF, R1 |
| 5 | Samoa | 0–5 | South Africa | 1995, 2003, 2007, 2011, 2015 | QF, R1, R1, R1, R1 |
* $^1$ Samoa competed as Western Samoa from 1924 to 1997.
* $^2$ Round 2 was introduced at the 1999 Rugby World Cup and consisted of the five group runners-up and the best third-placed team playoff for one of three places in the quarter-final. It was discontinued for the 2003 to 2023 Rugby World Cups. Round 2 will be re-introduced for the 2027 Rugby World Cup and will consist of the last 16 teams made up from the top two placed teams from six groups and the best four third-placed teams.
* $^3$ Three Rugby World Cup 2019 matches; involving Namibia versus Canada, New Zealand versus Italy, and England versus France, were cancelled and recorded as a 0–0 draw due to Typhoon Hagibis.

#### Tier 1 Nations Head-to-Head

The table below shows the current dominance in the Head-to-Head meetings of Tier 1 nations at the Rugby World Cup from the first tournament in 1987 to the latest tournament in 2023 (as of 20 October). Currently, New Zealand has the best record amongst the other Tier 1 nations, achieving more wins and culminating in a superior Head-to-Head record over seven other Tier 1 nations, and equal with two others (Australia and South Africa). Italy are at the bottom of the table, and have an inferior Head-to-Head record with eight other Tier 1 nations, and parity with one other nation (Argentina). However, as of the 2023 tournament Japan are the bottom team. There are two Tier 1 Head-to-Head meetings that have never been played at a Rugby World Cup: England–Ireland, and Scotland–Wales.
| Team Ranking | Tier 1 Nations Head-to-Head Wins (Draws) | Tier 1 Nations Head-to-Head Wins (Draws) | Tier 1 Nations Head-to-Head Wins (Draws) | Tier 1 Nations Head-to-Head Wins (Draws) | Tier 1 Nations Head-to-Head Wins (Draws) | Tier 1 Nations Head-to-Head Wins (Draws) | Tier 1 Nations Head-to-Head Wins (Draws) | Tier 1 Nations Head-to-Head Wins (Draws) | Tier 1 Nations Head-to-Head Wins (Draws) | Tier 1 Nations Head-to-Head Wins (Draws) | Tier 1 Nations Head-to-Head Wins (Draws) | Total Head-to-Head meetings | Total Head-to-Head meetings | Total Head-to-Head meetings | Total Head-to-Head meetings |
| Team Ranking | Argentina | Australia | England | France | Ireland | Italy | Japan | New Zealand | Scotland | South Africa | Wales | Superior | Equal | Inferior | Never played |
| New Zealand | 4–0 | 2–2 | 3–1 | 5–3 | 3–0 | 6–0 (1) | 2–0 | — | 5–0 | 3–3 | 4–0 | 8 | 2 | 0 | — |
| Australia | 3–0 | — | 3–4 | 1–1 | 4–1 | 1–0 | 2–0 | 2–2 | 2–0 | 2–1 | 5–3 | 7 | 2 | 1 | — |
| South Africa | 2–0 | 1–2 | 5–1 | 2–0 | 0–1 | 1–0 | 1–1 | 3–3 | 3–0 | — | 3–0 | 6 | 2 | 2 | — |
| England | 5–0 | 4–3 | — | 3–2 (1) | NP | 3–0 | 1–0 | 1–3 | 2–0 | 1–5 | 1–2 | 6 | 0 | 3 | 1 |
| Wales | 2–1 | 3–5 | 2–1 | 1–1 | 2–1 | 1–0 | 3–0 | 0–4 | NP | 0–3 | — | 5 | 1 | 3 | 1 |
| France | 2–2 | 1–1 | 2–3 (1) | — | 3–1 | 2–0 | 2–0 | 3–5 | 2–0 (1) | 0–2 | 1–1 | 4 | 3 | 3 | — |
| Ireland | 1–3 | 1–4 | NP | 1–3 | — | 2–0 | 2–1 | 0–3 | 2–1 | 1–0 | 1–2 | 4 | 0 | 5 | 1 |
| Argentina | — | 0–3 | 0–5 | 2–2 | 3–1 | 1–1 | 2–0 | 0–4 | 2–0 | 0–2 | 1–2 | 3 | 2 | 5 | 0 |
| Scotland | 0–2 | 0–2 | 0–2 | 0–2 (1) | 1–2 | 1–0 | 3–1 | 0–5 | — | 0–3 | NP | 2 | 0 | 7 | 1 |
| Japan | 0–2 | 0–2 | 0–2 | 0–2 | 1–2 | NP | — | 0–2 | 1–3 | 1–1 | 0–3 | 0 | 1 | 8 | 1 |
| Italy | 1–1 | 0–1 | 0–3 | 0–2 | 0–2 | — | NP | 0–6 (1) | 0–1 | 0–1 | 0–1 | 0 | 1 | 8 | 1 |
* $^1$ Two Tier 1 Rugby World Cup 2019 matches; involving New Zealand versus Italy, and England versus France, were cancelled and recorded as a 0–0 draw due to Typhoon Hagibis.

### Trivia

* England became the first sole host nation to be eliminated in the pool stage of a Rugby World Cup in 2015. Wales, as joint hosts, were eliminated in the pool stage in 1991.
* Four match-ups have occurred twice in the same World Cup:
** 2007 Argentina defeated France in the opening match 17–12, and went on to beat them 34–10 in the bronze final.
** 2007 South Africa defeated England 36–0 in the pool stage, and went on to play them in the final, winning 15–6.
** 2011 New Zealand defeated France 37–17 in the pool stage, and went on to play them in the final, winning 8–7.
** 2023 England defeated Argentina 27–10 in the pool stage, and went on to beat them 26–23 in the bronze final.
* There are two Tier 1 Head-to-Head meetings that have never been played at a Rugby World Cup: England versus Ireland, and Scotland versus Wales.
* Four nations have reached a Rugby World Cup Final having previously lost a game in that tournament: England in 1991 and 2007, South Africa in 2019 and 2023, New Zealand in 2023 and France in 2011, the latter being the only team to reach the final having lost two games. The 2023 final is the only one with both teams having previously lost a game in the tournament.
* New Zealand have been involved in four World Cup opening matches, the most by any other team. The All Blacks defeated Italy in 1987, England in 1991, and Tonga in 2011, but lost to France in 2023. Argentina have participated in three World Cup opening matches. The Pumas participated in the first three World Cup openers of the professional era – losing to Wales and Australia in 1999 and 2003 respectively, and defeating France in 2007.
* France and New Zealand are the only nations to have made it to at least the quarter-finals of every Rugby World Cup. Furthermore, South Africa have also done so since they started participating in 1995.
* France is the only non English-speaking country to have made it to a Rugby World Cup final – in 1987, 1999 and 2011. It is also the only country to reach a final without ever winning it.
* The only Tier 2 country to have participated in every Rugby World Cup is Japan, with Canada only failing to qualify for the first time in 2023, making it to one quarter-final in 1991 and Japan reaching the quarter finals in 2019.
* Japan is the only team to have won three matches in a tournament where they did not progress beyond the pool stage, losing out to South Africa and Scotland in their pool by points difference in 2015.
* Among the Tier 1 nations, Italy is the only one not to have made it to at least the quarter-finals in any Rugby World Cup. Conversely, four Tier 2 countries have made it to the quarter-finals – Fiji in 1987, 2007 and 2023, Samoa (then called Western Samoa) in 1991 and 1995, Canada in 1991 and Japan in 2019.
** Arguably, Argentina in 1999 could also be regarded as having been a Tier 2 nation at the time, since they were not yet in the southern-hemisphere Rugby Championship: although official "Tiers" were not recognised at the time, this match can be regarded as the start of their actual period of achievement which led to them later earning recognition at the top table. Similarly, Japan's achievements in 2019, added to their defeat of South Africa in 2015, were eventually recognised by formally admitting them to the definition of a Tier 1 nation in May 2023.
* The 2015 final between Australia and New Zealand is the highest scoring Rugby World Cup final, with New Zealand winning that match 34–17.
* After the 2015 final, New Zealand became the first team to win the Rugby World Cup three times, and the first team to have successfully defended its title. South Africa became the second team to defend its title in 2023 and the first to win the Rugby World Cup on four occasions, as well as the first to win successive titles away from home.
* Wales have had the most upsets in the Rugby World Cup, having lost to Samoa both in 1991 and 1999, then losing to Fiji in 2007. Other major upsets include Ireland and Scotland losing to Japan in 2019, France losing to Tonga in 2011, South Africa losing to Japan in 2015 and Australia losing to Fiji in 2023. Argentina's defeat of Ireland in 1999 was also regarded as an upset at the time.
* South Africa became the first nation to win a World Cup after losing a match in the pool stage in 2019 and did so again in 2023.
* New Zealand were the last Tier 1 team to experience defeat in the pool stages of a Rugby World Cup. They were defeated by France in 2023.