Most Rugby World Cup wins: How many times have New Zealand and South Africa won the RWC?

The Webb Ellis Cup was hoisted aloft for the 10th time on October 28, and Siya Kolisi became only the second captain to do so on two separate occasions. South Africa and New Zealand faced off in the final having won six of the previous nine tournaments between them, and history was made as the Springboks secured a record-breaking fourth title.

Australia (two) and England (one) have also been victors of the sport's greatest prize since the first Rugby World Cup in 1987, but the dominance of the All Blacks and Springboks is clear for all to see — particularly since the turn of the century.

While the 90's belonged to Australia with two wins, either side of South Africa's first title in 1995, the Wallabies' neighbouring rivals have come to the fore in the past five tournaments.

Since England's sole title in 2003, sealed by the boot of Jonny Wilkinson, New Zealand and the Springboks have ruled the roost, and for the fifth tournament in a row, the World Cup belonged to one of rugby's two global powerhouses with South Africa winning in 2023.

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Most Rugby World Cup wins: Which country has won the most times?

Following their 12-11 victory over New Zealand in the 2023 final, South Africa are the most successful nation at the World Cup with four titles. The Springboks completed an emotional maiden success in 1995 in front of Nelson Mandela, and have since lifted the Webb Ellis Cup in 2007 and 2019 — beating England on both occasions. 

New Zealand have three Rugby World Cup titles to their name, with the All Blacks winning the inaugural tournament in 1987; then consecutive World Cups in 2011 and 2015. They had the chance to win a fourth title of their own, but the one-point loss to the Springboks means they'll have to wait another four years at least for a shot at redemption.

Australia have won the trophy twice — in 1991 and 1999 — while England's 2003 win remains their only victory on the world stage. France, hosts this time around in 2023, have been beaten in the final on three occasions (1987, 1999 and 2011), while Wales, Argentina and Scotland have all failed to progress beyond the semifinals.

How many times have New Zealand won Rugby World Cup?

New Zealand were joint-hosts of the first-ever Rugby World Cup in 1987 alongside Australia, but while the Wallabies were defeated by finalists France in the semifinals and then Wales in the third-place play-off, the All Blacks had no such worries, recording a comfortable 29-9 victory over Les Bleus in the decider to claim the inaugural title at Eden Park in Auckland.

From there though, New Zealand would embark on a barren 24-year spell without a title until they hosted the tournament again in 2011. During that interim period, they reached just one final, losing to South Africa, and suffered semifinal defeats to Australia (1991, 2003) and France (1999), also being dumped out in the last eight by Les Bleus in 2007.

As solitary hosts in 2011 though, the All Blacks righted past wrongs to go all the way at Eden Park, edging old foes France 8-7 in a nail-biting decider. Four years later, New Zealand would become the only side ever to retain the title, triumphing 34-17 over Australia at Twickenham to take home the 2015 title in arguably the best World Cup final to date. Captain Richie McCaw became the first to skipper two teams to Webb Ellis Cup glory, joining Dan Carter and 12 other All Blacks in the exclusive club of double World Cup winners.

Any chances of a three-peat were dashed by England in the 2019 semifinals, but four years later, New Zealand returned to the big dance. A loss to hosts France in the 2023 pool stages didn't dent the All Blacks' quest for a fourth Webb Ellis Cup victory, but a dogged performance from South Africa in the final saw New Zealand beaten 12-11 at the Stade de France, losing by the finest of margins as the Springboks became the second team to go back-to-back.

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How many times have South Africa won Rugby World Cup?

South Africa's apartheid policies of the latter 20th century saw them excluded from worldwide sporting events up until 1994. The first two editions of the World Cup saw Zimbabwe take their place as the solitary African representative, but upon the election of Nelson Mandela as president in late 1994, the Springboks returned to the top table of international rugby.

Captain Francois Pienaar's leadership and Mandela's influence would prove great when South Africa hosted the 1995 tournament, as the Rainbow Nation got behind the historically divisive Springbok colours and cheered their team all the way to the title, defeating a Jonah Lomu-inspired New Zealand side 15-12 in the first final to go to extra-time.

Since then, the Springboks have won World Cups at a steady 12-year rate. Another try-less final in 2007 saw them defeat England 15-6, with prop Os du Randt winning a second title having featured in both the 1995 and 2007 teams! England were again the opponents in the 2019 decider, but tries from Makazole Mapimpi and Cheslin Kolbe steered South Africa to a record-equalling third title, with Francois Steyn winning his second title after 2007 in the 32-12 win.

The 2023 tournament wasn't entirely plain sailing for the Springboks either, who overcame a pool stage loss to Ireland on their way to reaching a second consecutive decider. While their performance in the 2019 final was one for the ages, and 2023 saw them dig deeper than ever before, holding out a second-half onslaught from the All Blacks to win 12-11 and secure that record-breaking fourth Webb Ellis Cup title.

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Full list of Rugby World Cup finals and winners

This table shows all the finals since the World Cup began in 1987, with the southern hemisphere's domination of the tournament apparent.