South Africa Wins Bid to Host IRB Junior World Championship 2012

Rugby’s premier age-grade competition will be played in South Africa next year after the International Rugby Board awarded the hosting rights to the IRB Junior World Championship 2012 to the South African Rugby Union (SARU).

Cape Town and Stellenbosch will play host to 312 of the world’s finest Under 20 players over the three-week tournament as 12 international teams seek to claim the greatest prize in age-grade rugby at an event that will provide a significant legacy for the sport in South Africa, as well as considerable tourism and economic benefits.

“The International Rugby Board is delighted that the IRB Junior World Championship 2012 has been awarded to South Africa. Rugby is such an integral part of the fabric of the nation, and I have no doubt that teams and travelling fans will be treated to a high-quality tournament set against a backdrop of outstanding passion and atmosphere,” said IRB Chairman Bernard Lapasset. “This is a huge boost for the Championship which has grown to be a highlight of the rugby calendar and is essential in the development of the next generation of stars to showcase their skills on the international stage. South Africa certainly has all the facilities, infrastructure and outstanding Rugby supporters to ensure that the tournament will be organised to a very high standard and shown around the world, which is vital for its ongoing success.”

The IRB Junior World Championship 2011 kicks off in Italy on 10 June with the final being played in Padova on 26 June. The current world champions are New Zealand, having defeated Australia to lift the title in Argentina last summer for the third year in succession. South Africa again finished third, as they have in all previous IRB Junior World Championships to date.

SARU President Oregan Hoskins said, “It is my firm belief that the Junior World Championship tournament will help SARU in its vision to promote, help to educate and grow the Game at grassroots level. Part of the overall tournament strategy is the implementation of a comprehensive Legacy Programme and our intention is to use the Junior World Championship as a platform to further raise the levels of awareness amongst our various township communities and to introduce the game to non-rugby environments in the greater Cape Town area.”

See also: Tickets On Sale for IRB Junior World Championship in Italy

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