The Junior Springboks have been handed a formidable challenge for the 2025 World Rugby Under-20 Championship, set to take place from 29 June to 19 July in Italy.
Image: Ryan Wilkisky/BackpagePix
The Junior Springboks have been handed a formidable challenge for the 2025 World Rugby Under-20 Championship, set to take place from 29 June to 19 July in Italy. Drawn in Pool A, the South African Under-20 team will go head-to-head with reigning champions England, alongside Australia and Scotland, in what promises to be a thrilling contest.
Ranked seventh for the global showpiece, the Junior Boks are gearing up for a demanding campaign. Head coach Kevin Foote acknowledged the challenge ahead but remains optimistic about his team’s preparations.
"It is very exciting news and will be a great opportunity for us to play in Italy during the (European) summer months," Foote stated. "England and Scotland would have had great preparations through the Under-20 Six Nations, while Australia will no doubt be using the Under-20 Rugby Championship to gear up for Italy. It is a very competitive pool; we are excited for the challenge and will be well-prepared."
The tournament, hosted across four cities in Italy’s Lombardia and Veneto regions, will mark the third time the country has staged the event, following previous editions in 2011 and 2015. It will also bring back fond memories for the Junior Boks, who triumphed in the 2022 Under-20 Summer Series in the same region. That squad featured standout players such as Sacha Mngomezulu-Feinberg, Suleiman Hartzenberg, Cameron Hanekom, and Ruan Venter.
This year’s championship will be played at venues in Calvisano, Rovigo, Verona, and Viadana, with the final scheduled to take place at the Stadio Mario Battaglini in Rovigo on 19 July. The knockout stages will kick off on 14 July.
The 12 participating nations have been split into three pools:
Pool A: England (1), Australia (6), South Africa (7), Scotland (12)
Pool B: France (2), Argentina (5), Wales (8), Spain (11)
Pool C: New Zealand (3), Ireland (4), Georgia (9), Italy (10)
Defending champions England will be looking to retain their title after defeating France 21-13 in the 2024 final in Cape Town. Meanwhile, Scotland returns to the Under-20 Championship for the first time since 2019, having secured their place by winning the Under-20 Trophy on home soil last year.
The five matchdays of the championship are set as follows:
Pool Matches:
Match Day 1: Sunday, 29 June (Calvisano & Verona)
Match Day 2: Friday, 4 July (Rovigo & Viadana)
Match Day 3: Wednesday, 9 July (Calvisano & Verona)
Knockout Rounds:
Match Day 4: Monday, 14 July (Verona & Viadana)
Final & Ranking Matches: Saturday, 19 July (Calvisano & Rovigo)
World Rugby Chair Brett Robinson emphasized the importance of the competition in shaping the future of the sport.
"The World Rugby U20 Championship represents the pinnacle of age-grade rugby, showcasing the next generation of international stars before they reach the highest level," said Robinson. "We are delighted to bring back this thrilling competition to Italy, a nation with a deep passion for the sport and a proven track record of hosting world-class events."
The Junior Springboks will resume their preparations on 20 March in Stellenbosch, marking their first training camp since their successful tour of Georgia, where they secured two wins in tough winter conditions.
With a competitive pool, a rich history in Italy, and a determined squad, the Junior Boks are set for an exciting journey in the 2025 World Rugby Under-20 Championship. Their path to the knockout stages will demand nothing less than top-tier performances, but South African fans will be hoping the team can rise to the challenge and make a deep run in the tournament.
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