Junior Springboks to open U20 Rugby Championship campaign against New Zealand

The Junior Springboks will kick off the inaugural Rugby Championship Under-20 tournament against old foes New Zealand on Thursday, 2 May at the Sunshine Coast Stadium.

Southern hemisphere governing body Sanzaar confirmed the draw for the inaugural tournament on Wednesday. Australia and Argentina's young guns will also take part.

The event will be played in the Sunshine Coast region, north of Brisbane in Queensland on Australia's eastern seaboard in May. It will comprise a round-robin format where all teams will play each other once. The top team after the three-round, six-match tournament will be declared the first Rugby Championship U20 champions.

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After the New Zealand match, the Junior Boks will face hosts Australia five days later. Head coach Bafana Nhleko's charges will conclude their fixtures on Sunday, 12 May when they face Los Pumas' U20s.

Sanzaar CEO Brendan Morris explained the new for this new competition: "The TRC U20 Championship is an exciting investment and development strategy that will allow for a more defined pathway for younger players into senior and international rugby and provide a springboard into the annual World Rugby U20 Championship that is currently missing.

"This exposure to international matches against top quality opposition can only benefit the players in terms of experience and adapting to the demands of top-level rugby. The tournament will also provide extra development opportunities for coaches, team management and match officials."

Thursday, 2 May

09:00 - Junior Boks v New Zealand

11: 00 - Australia v Argentina

Tuesday, 7 May

09:00 - New Zealand v Argentina

11:00 - Junior Boks v Australia

Sunday, 12 May

05:30 - Junior Boks v Argentina

07:30