The Junior Springboks have been drawn alongside England, Fiji and hosts Italy for the 2020 World Cup U20 Championship.
The teams taking part in the premier age-grade tournament have been divided into three pools of four with the 2019 medallists the top seeds in France, runners-up Australia and bronze medallists South Africa.
Chean Roux’s side start their campaign against Italy on 28 June before facing Fiji on 3 July and finishing the pool stage against England on 8 July. The SA U20s will be bidding to win their first title since 2012.
Two-time defending champions France are joined in Pool A by Argentina, Ireland and Japan, the latter returning to the tournament after winning the World Rugby U20 Trophy 2019.
Meanwhile, Australia will face six-time champions New Zealand, Wales and Georgia in Pool B.
The three pool winners and the pool runners-up with the most log points will qualify for the semi-finals.
The pools and schedule have been announced for the World Rugby U20 Championship in Italy, kicking off on 28 June.https://t.co/BMI6O1zGdW pic.twitter.com/pURpxnt2yx
— World Rugby (@WorldRugby) January 14, 2020
Photo: Juan Jose Gasparini/Gallo Images