South Africa has won the most, with four titles in 1995, 2007, 2019 and 2023 — becoming the first four-time champions when they beat New Zealand 12-11 in the 2023 final in Paris. New Zealand, the most consistent side in the tournament's history, have three (1987, 2011 and 2015), Australia have two (1991 and 1999), and England have one (2003), the only Northern Hemisphere nation ever to win it.
A match lasts 80 minutes, played in two halves of 40 minutes with a half-time break of up to 15 minutes. Unlike football, the referee stops the clock for injuries, substitutions and Television Match Official reviews, so a half often runs beyond 40 minutes of real time.
Pick two names from this sport’s all-time list. The larger number in each shared stat is highlighted.
| Stat | Richie McCaw | Dan Carter |
|---|
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South Africa has won the most, with four titles in 1995, 2007, 2019 and 2023 — becoming the first four-time champions when they beat New Zealand 12-11 in the 2023 final in Paris. New Zealand, the most consistent side in the tournament's history, have three (1987, 2011 and 2015), Australia have two (1991 and 1999), and England have one (2003), the only Northern Hemisphere nation ever to win it.
A match lasts 80 minutes, played in two halves of 40 minutes with a half-time break of up to 15 minutes. Unlike football, the referee stops the clock for injuries, substitutions and Television Match Official reviews, so a half often runs beyond 40 minutes of real time.
The Lions are a unique touring team made up of the best players from England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales, who unite behind a single red jersey once every four years to tour one of the southern hemisphere's giants — New Zealand, South Africa or Australia. The tradition dates to 1888, and a Lions tour features a series of midweek matches against provincial sides plus a three-Test series against the host nation.
Rugby union was strictly amateur for most of its history and only turned professional in 1995. For a century the sport banned paying players, a stance so central that it caused the 1895 split with the clubs that became rugby league.
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