South Africa have not given up hope of hosting the Rugby World Cup in either 2015 or 2019.

England (2015) and Japan (2019) were yesterday named as the Rugby World Cup Limited board's preferred hosts for the next two competitions after a tender process that also included Italy as well as South Africa.

But Mark Alexander, deputy president of South Africa Rugby Union and chairman of the bid committee, remains optimistic over his country's prospects.

"We are very disappointed not to have won the board's recommendation but we have not given up," he said.

"We met and frequently exceeded every criteria of the tender document and we will now have to examine the findings of the report presented by RWCL to the board.

"Our congratulations go to the recommended bidders - they have been working for their union and their nations as we have - but we will be looking for some clarifications on the recommendations from the IRB."

RWCL is an arm of the International Rugby Board. The final decision will be made by the International Rugby Board council, who meet in Dublin on July 28.