Junior Boks in strong U20 Summer Series pool in Italy

The Junior Springboks will return to international action as part of an exciting Under-20 Summer Series set in Italy from 24 June to 12 July.

South Africa is in Pool A alongside reigning World Rugby Under-20 Championship champions France, current U20 Six Nations champions Ireland and England in the eight-team tournament, supported by World Rugby.

With the absence of a World Rugby U20 Championship this year, the U20 Summers Series will allow teams to test themselves against new opposition.

"U20 tournaments have proven to be a successful pathway for young talents in our unions to flourish, gain international experience and prepare for test rugby," said Sir Bill Beaumont, World Rugby chairperson.

"Before the global World Rugby U20 Championship and Trophy return next year, we are delighted to support our unions and Six Nations Rugby in delivering the Under-20 Summer Series, a fantastic opportunity for promising rugby players to compete at the highest level."

The Summer Series teams are split into two groups of four based on World Rugby seedings, with South Africa grouped in a strong Pool A, while Georgia, Scotland, Wales, and Italy are drawn in Pool B.

The Junior Boks will open their pool commitments against England on Friday, 24 June, and that will be followed by their second match on Wednesday, 29 June, against Ireland.

The South Africans will complete their pool fixtures on Tuesday, 5 July against France before playing a final cross-pool fixture one week later, on Tuesday, 12 July, with their opponent to be determined according to the final standings.

Since April, the SA Rugby Academy programme saw a squad of 36 players train at the Stellenbosch Academy of Sport (SAS). Their programme included a number of training matches so far