The highly anticipated TRC U20 Rugby Championship is poised to serve as the platform for the emergence of the talents of Argentina, Australia, New Zealand, and South Africa, as these four southern hemisphere nations engage in a historic battle.
Set to take place in the Sunshine Coast region north of Brisbane, Queensland, on Australia’s eastern seaboard in May, the tournament will follow a round-robin format, with each team competing against the others once. The team that emerges as the top contender after the three-round, six-match event will be crowned as the first-ever U20 Rugby Championship champion.
The championship will commence with the Junior Boks facing off against New Zealand, followed by a match against hosts Australia five days later at the same venue. The SA U20 team, under the leadership of Bafana Nhleko, will conclude their fixtures on Sunday, 12 May, with a thrilling match against Argentina.
Nhleko and his coaching team have diligently prepared for the U20 Rugby Championship and the upcoming World Rugby U20 Championship through a series of alignment camps. In a bid to further align the training group and prepare them for the international events, the team recently engaged in a series of matches against senior provincial sides as part of the camps.
According to Nhleko, the team is on track with their preparation programme, stating, “We are demanding a lot from our group in terms of learning and application, and the players have responded well. They are aligning to the coaching, how we want to play, and what is required for them to perform at this level.”
Nhleko also emphasized the significance of the U20 Rugby Championship in providing time to play against quality opposition, test group combinations, and identify the right players before the final squad selection. He expressed excitement for the upcoming opportunity to play in Australia, noting the experience it will offer the players and the growth it will foster for the team as a whole.
Brendan Morris, CEO of SANZAAR, provided insight into the strategic reasons behind introducing the new competition, stating, “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.” He highlighted the benefits of exposure to international matches and top-quality opposition in terms of player experience, adaptation to the demands of top-level rugby, and additional development opportunities for coaches, team management, and match officials.
All games of the U20 Rugby Championship will be hosted at the Sunshine Coast Stadium, with the following schedule:
Thursday, 2 May
09h00: Junior Boks vs New Zealand
11h00: Australia vs Argentina
Tuesday, 7 May
09h00: New Zealand vs Argentina
11h00: Junior Boks vs Australia
Sunday, 12 May
05h30: Junior Boks vs Argentina
07h30: Australia vs New Zealand
The stage is set for an exhilarating display of talent and sportsmanship as the U20 Rugby Championship prepares to unfold, promising an unforgettable experience and a platform for the future stars of rugby to shine.