Young stars set to break records
The Junior World Championships which kicks off in the Western Cape on Monday is guaranteed to break records.
While home fans will be hoping that the Baby Blacks' astounding unbeaten record - they have not lost a game in four tournaments - will be the biggest to fall, the championship is assured to reach more people than ever before.
For the first time total hours broadcast will exceed 300, while the event which runs from June 4-22 in Cape Town and Stellenbosch, will be screened live or as live to more than 240 million homes in 162 territories by 17 leading broadcasters, a 14 per cent rise in coverage from last year.
Speaking at the Championship launch in Cape Town on Friday, IRB Tournament Director Philippe Bourdarias said that he was delighted with preparations and anticipates an event that will deliver wide-ranging benefits for teams and the South African rugby community.
"With three days to go until the Championship kicks off, I have no doubt that South Africa 2012 will be a resounding success, promoting age grade Rugby at its best and its values of respect, fair play and passion to an unprecedented global audience," he said.
The blend of triple-headers at the University of Western Cape Stadium (Cape Town) and the Danie Craven Stadium (Stellenbosch) over five match days, attractive ticketing prices and the future stars of the game in action the scene is set for a festival of top quality junior rugby.
"This tournament goes from strength to strength every year. There is palpable excitement within the South African rugby family and fans attending matches at both venues will experience much more than three matches a day. It will be an entertainment experience for the whole family," added Bourdarias.
For the players, the IRB Junior World Championship not only delivers an opportunity to test themselves against the cream of their generation, but it also provides an invaluable development and educational platform to prepare them for rugby's biggest events.
To date, 130 players have graduated from the Junior World Championship since its inception in 2008 to represent their country at senior Test level, proving the event's worth as a finishing school for the future stars of the Game.
"The Championship is a unique learning environment on many fronts. We provide crucial anti-doping and player welfare education and training as well as awareness of Rugby’s core values. We also want the players to enjoy the experience and express themselves on the field," said Bourdarias.