England will have to do it the hard way if they are to reach to reach the knockout rounds of next year's World Cup.

In the draw, made at Sydney Opera House, England were grouped alongside the Springboks and so far unknown qualifiers from Oceania, Europe and the Americas.

Their first game will be against a European qualifier in Perth on October 12, followed six days later with a chance to get revenge over South Africa, who knocked them out of 99 World Cup in the quarter-finals.

Then England must travel, with remaining group games in Melbourne (October 26) and Brisbane (November 2).

If England win Pool C, then it could put them on a quarter-final collision course with Wales, who have been drawn alongside New Zealand. But if they they finish runners-up, then the All Blacks will almost certainly await them in Melbourne on November 8 .

The 48-match tournament, to be played across 10 cities in Australia during October and November next year, kicks off on October 10 when holders and hosts Australia entertain Argentina, culminating with the World Cup final at Sydney's Stadium Australia on November 22.

Stadium Australia, showpiece venue for the 2000 Olympic Games, will host both semi-finals, third place play-off and final.

Melbourne's Colonial Stadium will stage two quarter-finals, together with the Suncorp Stadium - formerly known as Lang Park - in Brisbane.

Other venue cities include Brisbane, Melbourne, Perth, Adelaide and Canberra, while stadia such as the Dairy Farmers in Townsville and Gosford's North Power were among those used during last summer's Lions tour.

"Rugby World Cup 2003 promises to be the most exciting yet," said Vernon Pugh, chairman of the International Rugby Board. "Throughout, Australia have demonstrated their enthusiasm and commitment, and rugby fans throughout the world can look forward to a very special sporting occasion."