Francois Pienaar will lead South Africa's 2011 World Cup bid

South Africa's bid will be led by Francois Pienaar, who captained the Springboks to victory in the 1995 World Cup which was held in South Africa.

South Africa have already been awarded the 2010 football World Cup.

New Zealand, who would have co-hosted the 2003 event but for a row with Australia, staged the 1987 World Cup.

In the run-up to the last World Cup, the New Zealand Rugby Football Union was in dispute with its Australian counterpart over several issues, including advertising at venues, and the IRB subsequently withdrew its co-host offer.

The dispute left Australia to stage all 48 games, culminating in England beating the Wallabies last November.

Minimum criteria

The World Cup has never previously visited Japan and it is thought they will have strong claims for the 2011 event.

"It is very encouraging that three of our member unions have shown an interest in hosting the world's premier rugby event," said Mike Miller, managing director of Rugby World Cup Limited.

"It reflects the growth in popularity of the game worldwide."

Minimum criteria for hosting the tournament will be approved next month, with tender documents then sent to the three interested unions.

Confirmation of interest will be required next January, before a formal tender submission in May and a final decision on the host nation being made by IRB Council members six months later.