Cape Town hosts international rugby tournament

 Cape Town is hosting the International Rugby Junior World Championship from 4 - 22 June, at the Danie Craven Stadium in Stellenbosch and at the University of the Western Cape (UWC) Stadium in Bellville.

Taking part in the annual event are under-20 teams from Argentina, Australia, England, Fiji, France, Ireland, Italy, New Zealand, Samoa, Scotland, South Africa and Wales.

The three-week tournament is the under-20 version of the Rugby World Cup and is considered the second most important annual event for rugby’s governing body, the International Rugby Board (IRB).

The opening matches on 4 June saw Wales beating Fiji 44-18, Australia hammering Scotland 67-12, and Argentina beating France 18-15.

Five years ago the tournament replaced the now defunct under-19 and under-21 world championships. The 2012 event is hosted by Cape Town's sports department, in partnership with the South African Rugby Union (SARU), and is organised by the IRB.

Over the years the junior event has spawned many famous international players, and this year teams to watch out for – in addition to the hosts and defending champions Australia – are Argentina, England, France, Ireland and New Zealand.

There are five match-days over three weeks (4, 8, 12, 17 June) and the final is scheduled for 22 June at the Danie Craven Stadium.

Tickets can be purchased in advance at any Computicket outlet, online at www.computicket.com, or at the stadium ticket offices two hours before kick-off on match days.