All Blacks to face Springboks in 2019 opener

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New Zealand will begin their quest for a third successive Rugby World Cup title with a heavyweight clash against South Africa at the 2019 tournament in Japan.

The All Blacks are scheduled to face their old southern hemisphere foes in Yokohama on September 21, a day after hosts Japan kick off the competition against Europe's top qualifier, likely to be Romania, organisers announced in Tokyo on Thursday.

France, drawn in the so-called "Group of Death" alongside England and Argentina, also open their campaign on September 21 with a key Pool C fixture against the Pumas in Tokyo.

Title contenders England take on Tonga in the northern Japanese city of Sapporo the following day.

Two-time champions Australia face a potentially tricky opener against Fiji in Pool D, where Wales open against Georgia.

Matches will be played at 12 venues including Kamaishi in northeast Japan, which was ravaged by the 2011 tsunami and resulting nuclear disaster.

POOL A

Sept. 20 Japan v Europe 1, Tokyo

Sept. 22 Ireland v Scotland, Yokohama

Sept. 24 Europe 1 v Playoff winner, Kumagaya

Sept. 28 Japan v Ireland, Shizuoka

Sept. 30 Scotland v Playoff winner, Kobe

Oct. 3 Ireland v Europe 1, Kobe

Oct. 5 Japan v Playoff winner, Toyota

Oct. 9 Scotland v Europe 1, Shizuoka

Oct. 12 Ireland v Playoff winner, Fukuoka

Oct. 13 Japan v Scotland, Yokohama

POOL B

Sept. 21 New Zealand v South Africa, Yokohama

Sept. 22 Italy v Africa 1, Osaka

Sept. 26 Italy v Repechage winner, Fukuoka

Sept. 28 South Africa v Africa 1, Toyota

Oct. 2 New Zealand v Repechage winner, Oita

Oct. 4 South Africa v Italy, Shizuoka

Oct. 6 New Zealand v Africa 1, Tokyo

Oct. 8 South Africa v Repechage winner, Kobe

Oct. 12 New Zealand v Italy, Toyota

Oct. 13 Africa 1 v Repechage winner, Kamaishi

POOL C

Sept. 21 France v Argentina, Tokyo

Sept. 22 England v Tonga, Sapporo

Sept. 26 England v United States, Kobe

Sept. 28 Argentina v Tonga, Osaka

Oct. 2 France v United States, Fukuoka

Oct. 5 England v Argentina, Tokyo

Oct. 6 France v Tonga, Kumamoto

Oct. 9 Argentina v United States, Kumagaya

Oct. 12 England v France, Yokohama

Oct. 13 United States v Tonga, Osaka

POOL D

Sept. 21 Australia v Fiji, Sapporo

Sept 23 Wales v Georgia, Toyota

Sept. 25 Fiji v Americas 2, Kamaishi

Sept. 29 Georgia v Americas 2, Kumagaya

Sept. 29 Australia v Wales, Tokyo

Oct. 3 Georgia v Fiji, Osaka

Oct. 5 Australia v Americas 2, Oita

Oct. 9 Wales v Fiji, Oita

Oct. 11 Australia v Georgia, Shizuoka

Oct. 13 Wales v Americas 2, Kunamoto

Quarter-finals

Oct. 19 Winner Pool C v Runner-up Pool D, Oita (QF1)

Oct. 19 Winner Pool B v Runner-up Pool A, Tokyo (QF2)

Oct. 20 Winner Pool D v Runner-up Pool C, Oita (QF3)

Oct. 20 Winner Pool A v Runner-up Pool B, Tokyo (QF4)

Semi-finals

Oct. 26 Winner QF 1 v Winner QF 2, Yokohama

Oct. 27 Winner QF 3 v Winner QF 4, Yokohama

Final

Nov. 2 Yokohama