South Korea National Rugby Union Team
The South Korea national rugby union team, recognized globally as Korea by World Rugby and affectionately known as the Mugunghwas, serves as the premier representative of South Korea in men's international rugby union. Managed by the Korea Rugby Union, the team competes on the international stage with the goal of establishing a presence in the world's most prestigious rugby tournaments.
The team plays its home matches at the Incheon Namdong Asiad Rugby Field and is currently led by head coach Ju Ga-ram and captain Lee Jin-kyu.
Key Facts
- Nickname: The Mugunghwas
- Highest World Ranking: 21st (achieved in 2004)
- Current World Ranking: 38th (as of June 8, 2026)
- Most Capped Player: Back Kwang-soo (26 caps)
- Top Point Scorer: Oh Youn-hyung (98 points)
- Top Try Scorer: Lee Jin-wook (13 tries)
Historical Performance and Milestones
South Korea's journey in international rugby began on March 8, 1969, in Tokyo, Japan, where they played their first international match against Taiwan, resulting in a 15–9 loss. Since then, the team has experienced significant swings in performance, recording a massive 135–3 victory over Malaysia in 1992, while also suffering a heavy 119–0 defeat against Tonga in 2003.
Rugby World Cup Ambitions
Despite their regional efforts, South Korea has yet to make a debut appearance at the Rugby World Cup (RWC). Their path to the tournament has been marked by several near-misses:
- 1999, 2003, and 2007: The team reached the repechage round (a secondary qualification process for teams that did not qualify directly), but were eliminated by Tonga in all three attempts.
- 2011: A difficult campaign where the team lost every fixture, with their most competitive match occurring against the Arabian Gulf.
- 2015: South Korea finished third in the final round, failing to secure direct qualification or a spot in the repechage.
- 2019 and 2023: The team again missed both direct and indirect qualification routes.
- 2022: A narrow two-point loss to Hong Kong prevented the team from advancing to the repechage qualification play-offs.
Regional Success
While the World Cup remains elusive, South Korea has been active in the Asian Games, participating in the men's rugby union events in Bangkok (1988) and Busan (2002).
Team Statistics Summary
| Category | Detail |
|---|---|
| Governing Body | Korea Rugby Union |
| Head Coach | Ju Ga-ram |
| Captain | Lee Jin-kyu |
| World Cup Appearances | 0 |
| Biggest Win | 135–3 vs Malaysia (1992) |
| Biggest Defeat | 119–0 vs Tonga (2003) |
| Official Website | www.rugby.or.kr |
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the nickname of the South Korean national rugby team?
The team is known as the Mugunghwas.
Has South Korea ever played in the Rugby World Cup?
No, South Korea has not yet made an appearance in the Rugby World Cup, though they have reached the repechage rounds for several tournaments.
Who is the current head coach and captain?
The team is currently led by head coach Ju Ga-ram and captain Lee Jin-kyu.
What is the team's highest ever World Rugby ranking?
South Korea reached its highest World Rugby ranking of 21st in 2004.
Who holds the record for the most caps for South Korea?
Back Kwang-soo holds the record with 26 caps.