The IRB took the momentous decision to stage a first World Cup in March 1985 in strange circumstances. Prior to their annual council meeting in Paris, four Home Unions – who possessed eight votes, had publicly declared their opposition while New Zealand, Australia and France (six votes) were strongly in favour.
South Africa, banned from international rugby at this time and stripped of its two votes, were nonetheless fully involved in discussions and very much in favour when the IRB Council met to vote on March 21, 1985.
Before the vote there, famously, was a prearranged jolly for the blazers...