Historic: Belgium Tour Brazil, Chile and Paraguay in July 2024

The continued growth of rugby in South America continues to break new ground. The latest new development sees a brand new tour confirmed. As part of the 2024 July Internationals, Belgium will tour the continent. The Black Devils will face Brazil, Chile and Paraguay.

The official dates and venues for the tour are forthcoming. Brazil has confirmed home matches against Belgium and Hong Kong in July. Chile and Paraguay are soon to announce their home matches.

Belgium and Brazil previously met once before; Brazil were 23-19 winners over Belgium in Brussels in 2017. The same does not apply to Paraguay or Chile; neither match has ever happened before. In short, Belgium’s tour to Brazil, Chile and Paraguay is truly historic.

Chile’s July Internationals will be against Belgium, Hong Kong and Scotland. Dates for Chile’s home matches are forthcoming. Chile is confirmed to face Scotland on July 20 and is expected to face Belgium on July 13 and Hong Kong on July 27.

Europe and South America are the two regions in which rugby has demonstrated the strongest progress over the course of the twenty-first century. The two regions merit more opportunities from the expanded Rugby World Cup than do Africa, Asia, North America or Oceania. There has simply been more progress.

Brazil and Belgium are two genuinely potential new teams at the Rugby World Cup. Chile debuted at Rugby World Cup 2023 and Portugal played for the second time. Spain were disqualified after qualifying. There are not comparative cases from Africa, Asia, North America and Oceania; repechage furthers this point.

Hong Kong is Asia’s second best side after Japan. If World Rugby follow through and do award Asia an automatic spot this would mean Hong Kong are assured of being debutants at Australia 2027. This scenario would mean South America miss out on a second spot, thus seeing a more complicated pathway for Chile.

Chile is ranked 23rd and Brazil is ranked 29th in the world rankings. Hong Kong is 24th and Belgium is 28th. Brazil will face Hong Kong and Belgium on July 20 and 27 respectively. Venues are yet to be confirmed.

JULY 2024 INTERNATIONALS – BELGIUM TOUR TO SOUTH AMERICA

July 13 vs (Venue tba; date rumored)