The Junior Springboks will compete in a new U20 International Series in May as part of their final preparation for the defence of their Junior World Championship title.
The series will feature Georgia, Fiji and Chile and include three double-header match days at Cape Town’s famous City Park venue near Athlone.
The series will be the final opportunity for Junior Boks coach Kevin Foote and his assistants to fine-tune preparations ahead of the global U20 showpiece in Georgia.
The Junior Boks triumphed in Italy last year to end a title drought which stretched over a decade at age-group level.
“We know game time out on the field in actual matches is crucial as we prepare for the Junior World Championship, and we are truly grateful for this opportunity,” said Foote.
“All the players in our wider squad will be considered for these matches, and apart from game time, we would like to work on combinations as we build up towards the trip to Georgia in June.”
MORE: Junior Boks call up hooker replacement
The 2026 edition of the Junior World Championship will feature 16 teams and take place from 27 June to 18 July.
“We’re also excited to build on our relationships with the three visiting nations. We’re in the same Junior World Championship pool as Georgia, while Fiji will no doubt also use this opportunity to fine-tune their preparations for the tournament,” Foote added.
“Chile is one of the up-and-coming junior teams, and they will host the World Rugby U20 Challenger Cup this year, so I’m sure they will be eager to impress on home soil.”
The Junior Boks are currently preparing for the Sanzaar U20 Rugby Championship in Gqeberha, where they will face the U20 sides of Argentina, Australia and New Zealand for southern hemisphere supremacy.
U20 International Series fixtures
Thursday, 21 May
Georgia vs Fiji
South Africa vs Chile
Tuesday, 26 May
Chile vs Georgia
South Africa vs Fiji
Sunday, 31 May
Fiji vs Chile
South Africa vs Georgia
Photo: Grant Pitcher/Gallo Images
The post Cape Town to host U20 International Series appeared first on SA Rugby magazine.
