World Rugby confirms fixtures for U20 Championship in South Africa

France are set to defend the title they won in Cape Town last year but will have to contend with some fierce competition, including from the Junior Springboks, who will be looking to improve on their bronze medal from 2023 in front of their home fans.

The tournament kicks off on 29 June in Cape Town at DHL Stadium and Athlone Stadium, with the next two pool match days scheduled for 4 and 9 July. The playoffs - including the semi-finals for the top four sides - will be played on 14 July, with the final and placing matches on 19 July.

The venues for the matches will be the Danie Craven Stadium in Stellenbosch, as well as Athlone Stadium and the DHL Stadium in Cape Town, and tickets - priced at R35 (for children 18 years old and younger), and R75 for adults - will be on sale from Ticketmaster from Friday, 31 May. Tickets are for an entire match day and include three encounters at every venue.

The Junior Boks are in Pool C with England, Argentina and Fiji; Pool A consists of France, Wales, New Zealand and Spain; and Ireland, runners-up in 2023, Australia, Georgia and Italy are in Pool B.

SA Rugby CEO Rian Oberholzer said: "Last year's tournament was an unforgettable experience and we're expecting more of the same this year. With the recent U20 Rugby Championship, we saw how closely matched the four SANZAAR teams were, and it was the same in the U20 Six Nations, where England emerged victorious.

"To host the next generation of superstars next month is a great privilege and we can't wait to welcome their families, friends and fans to South Africa.

"The World Rugby U20 Championship plays an important role in the global rugby picture and is key in promoting and growing the game, while we are also excited to unearth the next generation of Springboks."

The World Rugby U20 Championship 2024 will be the first international competition to feature the three new law amendments implemented to promote ball in flow and diversity of attacking options, while supporting player welfare.

These are that players will no longer be put onside when an opponent catches the ball from a kick in open play and runs five metres, players must make an attempt to retreat; scrums will no longer be an option from free kicks; and the banning of the crocodile roll.

A package of six law trials will also operate, including the simplified red card sanction process, approved by the World Rugby Executive Board.

World Rugby U20 Championship fixtures

 Saturday, 29 June

 DHL Stadium:

14h00: France v Spain

16h30: Ireland v Italy

19h00: South Africa v Fiji

 Athlone Stadium

14h00: England v Argentina

16h30: Australia v Georgia

19h00: Wales v New Zealand

 Thursday, 4 July

 Danie Craven Stadium

14h00: Ireland v Georgia

16h30: France v New Zealand

19h00: South Africa v Argentina

 Athlone Stadium

14h00: Wales v Spain

16h30: England v Fiji

19h00: Australia v Italy

 Tuesday, 9 July

 Athlone Stadium

14h00: Ireland v Australia

16h30: France v Wales

19h00: South Africa v England

 Danie Craven Stadium

14h00: Argentina v Fiji

16h30: Georgia v Italy

19h00: New Zealand v Spain

 Sunday, 14 July

 Danie Craven Stadium

14h00: 10th seed v 11th seed (match 19)

16h30: 9th seed v 12th seed (match 20)

19h00: 6th seed v 7th seed (match 21)

 DHL Stadium

14h00: 5th seed v 8th seed (match 22) 

16h30: 2nd seed v 3rd seed (semi-final â- match 23)

19h00: 1st seed v 4th seed (semi-final - match 24)

 Friday, 19 July

 Athlone Stadium

12h00: Loser Match 19 v Loser Match 20

14h30: Winner Match 19 v Winner Match 20

17h00: Loser Match 21 v Loser Match 22

 DHL Stadium

14h00: Winner Match 21 v Winner Match 22 

16h30: Loser Match 23 v Loser Match 24 (bronze medal match)

19h00: Winner Match 23 v Winner Match 24 (final)

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