World Champs battle lines drawn
The match schedule for the 2012 IRB Junior World Championships has been announced with hosts South Africa set to get the showcase age-grade event underway when they take on Ireland at the Danie Craven Stadium in Stellenbosch.
With IRB officials in Cape Town for key preparation meetings, planning and preparation is on track, record television coverage secured and public anticipation is building as the world's best players at Under-20 level prepare to compete at two world class venues in South Africa's rugby hotbed.
The Championships will kick off on Monday, June 4, with defending champions New Zealand take on Samoa and Wales playing Fiji before the Baby Boks take to the field at the Danie Craven Stadium.
At the University of Western Cape Stadium in Cape Town, the match action starts with 2010 runners-up Australia playing Scotland, followed by last year's finalists England against Italy and France against Argentina.
Oregan Hoskins, IRB Vice Chairman and SARU President, said: "We are committed to delivering a world class tournament for players and fans.
"Those attending the championship will be treated to triple-headers featuring the best up and coming players in the world, a feast of quality entertainment on and off the field and attractive ticket prices."
IRB tournament officials have spent three days with SARU representatives fine-tuning final preparations for what promises to be a memorable event.
IRB Tournament Director Philippe Bourdarias said: "We have completed a comprehensive round of site visits this week and I have no doubt the IRB Junior World Championship 2012 will be a very special event in a country which is world renowned for its exceptional tournament management.
Pool matches will continue on Friday, June 8 and Tuesday, June 12 before the teams are seeded one to 12 based on their pool positions for the semifinals and play-off matches on Sunday, June 17.
The 2012 Final will be played on Friday, June 22 at the Danie Craven Stadium, with a full schedule of matches at both venues that day to determine the final standings.
With the future stars of the game on show, players will seek to emulate the likes of South African pair Patrick Lambie and Francois Hougaard, who are part of an illustrious list of JWC graduates which also includes New Zealand's World Cup 2011 winners Aaron Cruden, Zac Guildford and Sam Whitelock, Australia's David Pocock and Will Genia, England's Courtney Lawes and Ben Youngs and the youngest ever World Cup captain, Sam Warburton of Wales.
Pools:
Pool A
New Zealand
Fiji
Wales
Samoa
Pool B
England
South Africa
Ireland
Italy
Pool C
Australia
France
Argentina
Scotland
Fixtures:
(All kick-offs are South African time)
Day One - Monday, June 4:
Danie Craven Stadium
Wales v Fiji (14.45)
New Zealand v Samoa (16.45)
South Africa v Ireland (18.45)
University of the Western Cape
Australia v Scotland (14.45)
England v Italy (16.45)
France v Argentina (18.45)
Day Two - Friday, June 8:
Danie Craven Stadium
Australia v Argentina (14.45)
New Zealand v Wales (16.45)
England v Ireland (18.45)
University of the Western Cape
Fiji v Samoa (14.45)
France v Scotland (16.45)
South Africa v Italy (18.45)
Day Three - Tuesday, June 12
Danie Craven Stadium
Ireland v Italy (14.45)
France v Australia (16.45)
South Africa v England (18.45)
University of the Western Cape
Argentina v Scotland (14.45)
Wales v Samoa (16.45)
New Zealand v Fiji (18.45)
At the end of the pool phase the teams will be seeded based on the position in which they finished in their respective pools.
Day 4 - Sunday, June 17
University of the Western Cape
10th seed v 11th seed (12.30)
9th seed v 12th seed (14.45)
6th seed v 7th seed (17.00)
Danie Craven Stadium
5th seed v 8th seed (14.45)
2nd seed v 3rd seed (17.00)
1st seed v 4th seed (19.45)
Day 5 - Friday, June 22:
University of the Western Cape
9th/10th place play-off (12.00)
11/12th place play-off (14.15)
7th/8th place play-off (16.30)
Danie Craven Stadium
5th/6th place play-off (14.15)
3rd/4th place play-off (16.30)
Final (18.45)