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As has been the norm in recent years, a South American Tri Nations is to take place again in 2024. However, unlike in the 2023 tournament or in the 2022 Tri Nations and in earlier years, the 2024 edition will double as Rugby World Cup 2027 qualifies.
Brazil, Colombia and Paraguay will compete in the 2024 edition of the South American Tri Nations. It will be the opening round of the Rugby World Cup 2027 qualifiers for the South American region. Dates and venues for the fixture are yet to be confirmed.
Prior editions of equivalent South American regional qualifying have seen the winner advancing to the next round of qualifiers. Argentina is the only Americas side to automatically qualify for Rugby World Cup 2027. Rugby World Cup 2023 competitors Chile and Uruguay will thus be countries who await the results from the South American Tri Nations.
The 2024 South American Tri Nations will not involve Peru, Venezuela, or Ecuador. The trio have fallen from the radar for different reasons. Peru is no longer at a level of competitiveness to challenge a side such as Colombia. Venezuela has also fallen behind while Ecuador has not played test matches since 2016.
The 2016 South American B Championship also doubled as Rugby World Cup Qualifiers. The four countries from Northeastern South America competed for the right to advance to the next stage. Colombia were winners over Ecuador, Peru and Venezuela.
Colombia opened their campaign in 2016 with a 75-5 win over Ecuador. Peru defeated Ecuador 65-5 later in the tournament while Venezuela defeated Ecuador 52-10. Venezuela also won their match against Peru, doing so by a scoreline of 33-8. Ecuador had qualified for the tournament by narrowly defeating Guatemala 26-25 in Guayaquil.
Colombia’s rise saw Los Tucanes catch up to and overtake Paraguay during the Rugby World Cup 2015-2019 cycle. This ended during the Rugby World Cup 2019-2023 cycle. Paraguay has since recovered to now be winning comfortably against Colombia and also be challenging Brazil.
