SA v Japan – what could possibly go wrong?

JWC_Trophy_2012

Pic: Courtesy World Rugby

 

South Africa’s stars of the future will go in pursuit of their second under-20 World Rugby Championship crown when they kick off their campaign against Japan in Manchester this afternoon.
The 12 top nations will be in action, including hosts England, who have been in six of the past eight finals and will have home advantage for the first time.
All the action will be broadcast on SuperSport.
The Junior Springboks last won the title in 2012 and were losing finalists two years ago, when Handre Pollard was named Player of the Tournament.
Eastern Province centre Jeremy Ward will lead the team with provincial teammate Junior Pokomela and 2015 SA Schools captain, Western Province lock Ernst van Rhyn, named as vice-captains.
The squad features two players who were members of the Junior Springbok squad that finished third at the international showpiece in Italy last year: centre JT Jackson and scrumhalf Marco Jansen van Vuuren.
SA’s pool fixtures are against Japan, Argentina and France.

BROADCAST SCHEDULE (week one)
June 7: SA v Japan (SS1, 4.15pm); Wales v Ireland (SS1, 6.30pm); England v Italy (SS1, 8.45pm); France v Argentina (SS6, 4.15pm); Australia v Scotland (SS6, 6.30pm); NZ v Georgia (SS6, 8.45pm).
June 11: Australia v Italy (SS1, 2.30pm); France v Japan (SS1, 4.45pm); SA v Argentina (SS6, 7pm); NZ v Ireland (SS6, 9pm); Wales v Georgia (SS6, 10.45pm); England v Scotland (SS6, 12.30am – June 12).