World Rugby has announced that South Africa will host the next two editions of the U20 Championship in 2023 and 2024 as the tournament returns.

The governing body also confirmed the U20 trophy will take place in Kenya this year as both tournaments will be played for the first time since the Covid-19 pandemic.

South Africa previously hosted the 2012 edition that the Junior Springboks went on to win, with the likes of Handre Pollard, Steven Kitshoff and Pieter-Steph du Toit all part of that side.

All games in the Western Cape

The tournament will take place in the Western Cape Winelands areas of Stellenbosch, Paarl and Wellington as the 12 best junior teams battle for glory at the end of June this year.

There will be three pools of four in the tournament, with the team that finishes in last place facing relegation for next year’s edition.

World Rugby chairman Sir Bill Beaumont is delighted to have both tournaments in Africa, which he feels is a “significant growth” region and thanked the two countries for hosting in rugby’s bicentenary year.

“We are thrilled to unveil our two exciting hosts for the World Rugby U20 Championship and U20 Trophy taking place later this year. South Africa and Kenya will provide the perfect stage for the return of our flagship U20 competitions that play such a crucial role in the development of young talents within our unions,” Beaumont said.

“The U20 Championship and Trophy have been hugely popular since their inception 15 years ago and have proven successful with countless stars moving on to play test rugby and shine on the biggest stage and many of them will be on display when Rugby World Cup 2023 kicks off in September.

“Africa is a significant growth region for rugby, and I would like to thank our friends in South Africa and Kenya respectively for hosting in rugby’s bicentenary year. We look forward to seeing the 20 teams inspiring the African continent with breath-taking action.”

Exciting tournament ahead

Meanwhile, the President of SA Rugby, Mark Alexander, is delighted South Africa has been chosen to host the event and is confident the country can deliver two fantastic championships.

“South Africa have a proud tradition and excellent track record of hosting world class events and we are ready to welcome the next generations of rugby’s future to our shores in July, and again next year,” said Alexander.

“We have the infrastructure and proven expertise to deliver excellent rugby events and, combined with fantastic backing from our passionate supporters, I have no doubt we will deliver two more very successful U20 Championships.”

The Junior Springboks won the 2012 Championship final against New Zealand, which was played in front of a tournament-record 35,000 spectators at Newlands in Cape Town.

Pools

Pool A

France (1)
Wales (6)
New Zealand (7)
Japan (12)

Pool B

Australia (2)
England (5)
Ireland (8)
Fiji (11)

Pool C

South Africa (3)
Argentina (4)
Italy (9)
Georgia (10)

Fixtures

Pool matches

Match day 1: Saturday, June 24
Match day 2: Thursday, June 29
Match day 3: Tuesday, July 4

Knock-out matches

Match day 4: Sunday, July 9
Match day 5 (final): Friday, July 14

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