(Reuters) - Factbox on the three nations - France, South Africa and Ireland - bidding to host the 2023 Rugby World Cup:SOUTH AFRICAPREVIOUS HOSTINGSouth Africa's previous Rugby World Cup in 1995 proved a seminal moment for the young democracy as the team lifted the trophy in a fairytale finish that even spawned a Hollywood film. It was the last World Cup to be played in rugby's amateur era and was a logistical and commercial success. STRENGTHS OF THE BIDAs a legacy of the 2010 Soccer World Cup, South Africa already has the infrastructure in place to host the 2023 Rugby World Cup and would need minimal investment in this regard. By 2023 it will have been 28 years since one of the sports major powers last hosted the World Cup. FRANCEPREVIOUS HOSTINGFrance hosted the 2007 Rugby World Cup and progressed to the semi-finals, where they lost to England, who in turn were beaten by South Africa in the final.

Source: The Star September 25, 2017 11:37 UTC