Kenya to host World Rugby U20 Championship

For the first time since the Covid-19 pandemic, the World Rugby U20 Trophy will be held in Kenya from 15–30 July.

The world's top young talents will compete in rugby's two major men's U20 competitions in 2023, which will mark the bicentennial of the sport after three editions were postponed due to the pandemic (2020–22).

The World Rugby U20 Championship will be held in South Africa for the following two years, 2023 and 2024. After the Junior Springboks' victory in 2012 on home soil, South Africa will host the upcoming stars of the game for the 2023 edition for the second time.

Kenya will host the World Rugby U20 following the completion of the U20 Championship in South Africa, having previously done so in 2009. The event will be held in Africa for the third time, with Zimbabwe serving as the hosts in 2016.

At the Nyayo National Stadium, eight teams will compete over four match days, with the victor advancing to the U20 Championship in 2024. Kenya has participated in the event twice before, in 2009 and 2019. This will be their third appearance.

The participating teams for the World Rugby U20 Trophy 2023 are: Scotland (relegated from the U20 Championship in 2019), Kenya (hosts), Hong Kong (Asia), Samoa (Oceania), Spain (Europe), Uruguay (South America), and two teams from North America and Africa that still need to qualify through regional competition.

The two age-grade competitions are an important component of the international federation's investment in boosting rugby's quality of competition by giving gifted young players a direct route to the top division.

Nearly 1,500 players, including 28 Rugby World Cup champions, have gone on to play in tests after competing in the premier competitions, which were first staged in 2008.

Speaking after disclosing this, World Rugby Chairman Sir Bill Beaumont said “We are thrilled to unveil our two exciting hosts for the World Rugby U20 Championship and U20 Trophy taking place later this year. South Africa and Kenya will provide the perfect stage for the return of our flagship U20 competitions that play such a crucial role in the development of young talents within our unions.

“The U20 Championship and Trophy have been hugely popular since their inception 15 years ago and have proven successful with countless stars moving on to play test rugby and shine on the biggest stage and many of them will be on display when Rugby World Cup 2023 kicks off in September.

“Africa is a significant growth region for rugby and I would like to thank our friends in Kenya and South Africa respectively for hosting in rugby’s bicentenary year. We look forward to seeing the 20 teams inspiring the African continent with breath-taking action.”

SA Rugby President Mark Alexander added: “South Africa have a proud tradition and excellent track record of hosting world-class events and we are ready to welcome the next generations of rugby’s future to our shores in July, and again next year.

“We have the infrastructure and proven expertise to deliver excellent rugby events and, combined with fantastic backing from our passionate supporters, I have no doubt we will deliver two more very successful World Rugby U20 Championships.”

World Rugby Junior Trophy Pools

Pool A: Scotland, Uruguay, Canada or USA, Africa 2

Pool B: Spain, Samoa, Kenya, Hong Kong

Pool Matches

MD1: Saturday 15 July 2023

MD2: Thursday 20 July 2023

MD3: Tuesday 25 July 2023

Final & Ranking Matches

MD4: Saturday 30 July 2023