The Junior Springboks will host an U20 International Series in Cape Town during late May as their final preparation block before defending their Junior World Championship title in Georgia next month.
Georgia, Fiji, and Chile will all travel to City Park for the series, which runs across three double-header match days between 21 and 31 May. The Junior Boks face Chile on 21 May, Fiji on 26 May, and Georgia on 31 May.
The timing is deliberate. South Africa and Georgia are drawn in the same JWC pool, making the 31 May clash particularly useful for both sides. Fiji are also using the series as tournament preparation.
Junior Bok head coach Kevin Foote says the full wider squad will be in contention across the three matches, with combination-building a priority alongside game time. "We know game time out on the field in actual matches is crucial as we prepare for the Junior World Championship, and we are truly grateful for this opportunity," Foote said. "All the players in our wider squad will be considered for these matches, and apart from game time, we would like to work on combinations as we build up towards the trip to Georgia in June."
Chile complete the four-team series as a developing programme — they will host the World Rugby U20 Challenger Cup later this year.
Before the Cape Town series, the Junior Boks are in action at the U20 Rugby Championship in Gqeberha, where they face Argentina, Australia, and New Zealand.
U20 International Series fixtures — City Park, Cape Town (kick-off times TBC)
Thursday, 21 May Georgia v Fiji South Africa v Chile
Tuesday, 26 May Chile v Georgia South Africa v Fiji
Sunday, 31 May Fiji v Chile South Africa v Georgia