Dawie Theron will join the Docomo Red Hurricanes at the end of the World Rugby U20 Championship.

Theron, who has been in charge of the SA U20 team for the past six seasons, has accepted a two-year contract to become head coach of the Japannese Top League club in mid-July.

The 49-year-old, who led the Junior Boks to the U20 Championship title in 2012  as well as one silver and two bronze medals in the past five years, says he is thankful to SA Rugby for their faith and continuous support and that he will miss working with the next generation of Springbok players.

'Coaching the Junior Springboks in the last few seasons has been an amazing journey and it has been a great pleasure to see some of the players I worked with develop into world-class players at Springbok level,' Theron said. 'It was a tough decision to continue my career overseas, but this opportunity is a fresh challenge and will allow me to experience a new environment, which I believe will benefit my coaching.'

The Junior Boks started their 2016 World Rugby Championship campaign with a 59-19 win over Japan on Tuesday.

Photo: Phil Walter/Gallo Images