2003 Rugby World Cup qualifying
The qualification process for the 2003 Rugby World Cup began during the pool stages of the 1999 tournament in Wales, during which the quarterfinalists were awarded automatic qualification for the 2003 event. A further twelve teams qualified through regional tournaments and the repechage process.
Qualifiers
79 teams competed qualifying.| Region | Teams entered qualifying process | Qualifying berths | Repechage berths | Qualified team | Repechage team |
| [2003 Rugby World Cup – 2003 Rugby World Cup – Africa qualification|Africa qualification|Africa] | 12 | 1 | 1 | ||
| [2003 Rugby World Cup – 2003 Rugby World Cup – Americas qualification|Americas qualification|Americas] | 17 | 2 | 1 | ||
| [2003 Rugby World Cup – 2003 Rugby World Cup – Asia qualification|Asia qualification|Asia] | 11 | 1 | 1 | ||
| Europe | 32 | 4 | 1 | ||
| Oceania | 9 | 2 | 1 | ||
| TOTALS | 81 | 10 | 5 |
Repechage qualification
- Repechage 1
- Repechage 2
Africa qualification
In qualification for the 2003 Rugby World Cup, there was one position for an African nation, as well as the possibility of repechage qualification. Namibia qualified, joining automatic qualifiers South Africa at the competition in Australia.Round 3
Pool A
Match schedule
Round 4
''Namibia won the round based on total tries scored. Namibia qualified to Pool A of the 2003 Rugby World Cup as Africa 1. Tunisia advanced to Repechage.''Americas qualification
In qualification for the 2003 Rugby World Cup, a number of positions were available to Americas nations. Canada, Uruguay and the USA would eventually qualify.Round 1 (North)
''Winner qualified to Round 2.''Round 1 (South)
Valid also as 2001 South American Rugby Championship "B"''Winner qualified to Round 2.''