The new format robbed the draw of much of its pool-stage jeopardy and there will be few big early clashes barring hosts Australia's taking on the All Blacks in the tournament opener -- the first meeting between the neighbours in the pool stage.
The Springboks will face Italy, Georgia and Romania in Pool B, while three-times champions New Zealand will play Chile and debutants Hong Kong in addition to the Wallabies in Pool A.
If, as expected, they top those groups and beat lower-ranked teams from other pools in the new round of 16, the southern hemisphere giants will clash for a spot in the semi-finals in a rematch of the 2023 final.
Australia were offered a relatively smooth path to the business end of the tournament despite failing to get into the top six seeds after winning only five of 15 tests this year.
The format, changed for the first time since Australia last hosted the tournament in 2003, allows four third-placed teams from the six groups to progress to the round of 16.
That not only decreases the chance of Australia repeating their humiliating pool stage exit from the 2023 World Cup, but also means that if they finish second in the pool, they would play the second-placed finishers in Pool E in their first knockout match.
If the current rankings hold, that would mean a last 16 clash with Eddie Jones's Japan before a quarter-final against England.
In-form England, who won the World Cup last time it was held in Australia in 2003, were drawn in Pool F along with Wales, Tonga and Zimbabwe.
Ireland will face familiar foes in Scotland along with Uruguay and Portugal in Pool D with their hopes of finally breaking their quarter-final curse likely to rest on their ability to beat Argentina in the last eight.
The Pumas will play Fiji, Spain and Canada in Pool C.
Three-time finalists France have a dream draw. They will take on the United States and Samoa as well as Japan in Pool E with a winnable last 16 clash against Scotland followed by a likely quarter-final against Fiji.
The tournament will take place in seven cities around Australia from October 1 to November 13, 2027, features six pools of four teams and a new round of 16.