Up to seven over-age players can be included in a match 23 for the inaugural SA Rugby U23 Cup, which kicks off on Saturday.
Up to four such players will be allowed in the starting lineup.
The competition features a double-round league format for the country’s four Vodacom URC clubs.
In the first match of the inaugural tournament, the Sharks U23 will host the Lions XV at Kings Park (1:45pm).
Designed to bridge the gap between age-grade rugby and senior provincial and club ranks, the competition provides a vital platform for emerging talent to gain competitive match minutes and stay battle-hardened.
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The strategic provision for over-age players will provide a crucial “return-to-play” platform for senior players who are coming back from long-term injuries and need game time, or for those on the fringe of URC selection, who might otherwise not see top-level action.
The league phase will run until the weekend of 9 May, with the final scheduled for 16 May between the two top-placed teams on the log.
SA Rugby U23 Cup fixtures
Saturday, 21 March
Sharks U23 vs Lions XV (Kings Park, Durban, 1:45pm)
Friday, 27 March
Sharks U23 vs Stormers XXIII (Kings Park, Durban, 4pm)
Bulls XV vs Lions XV (Old Peter Mokaba Stadium, Polokwane, 6pm)
Saturday, 11 April
Bulls XV vs Stormers XXIII (Loftus Versfeld, Pretoria, TBC)
Saturday, 18 April
Lions XV vs Sharks U23 (Ellis Park, Johannesburg, 1pm)
Stormers XXIII vs Bulls XV (Cape Town Stadium, Cape Town, 4pm)
Saturday, 25 April
Lions XV vs Bulls XV (Ellis Park, Johannesburg, 1pm)
Stormers XXIII vs Sharks U23 (Cape Town Stadium, Cape Town, 4pm)
Saturday, 2 May
Sharks U23 vs Bulls XV (Kings Park, Durban, 1:30pm)
Stormers XXIII vs Lions XV (TBC, 2pm)
Friday, 8 May
Lions XV vs Stormers XXIII (TBC, 1pm)
Saturday, 9 May
Bulls XV vs Sharks U23 (Loftus Versfeld, Pretoria, TBC)
Saturday, 16 May
Final
Photo: Sydney Seshibedi/Gallo Images
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