Due to heavy rainfall in the Cape Town region on Tuesday 9 July, the pitch at Athlone Stadium has been assessed in partnership with organisers and match officials and currently declared not safe to play. As a result, the first match scheduled at this venue between Ireland U20 and Australia U20 has been cancelled and as per the tournament rules, both teams have been awarded two competition points.
The pitch will be assessed again ahead of the two remaining World Rugby U20 Championship matches due to take place at this venue and will only go ahead if the weather conditions improve, and the pitch is sufficiently drained for rugby to be played in safe conditions.
Update on World Rugby U20 Championship (15:55 GMT+2)
After further assessments made by organisers and match officials at Athlone Stadium, the pitch has been sufficiently drained to allow rugby to resume in safe conditions.
World Rugby U20 Championship matches remaining at the venue including France U20 v Wales U20 (16:30 GMT+2) and South Africa U20 v England U20 (19:00 GMT+2) will go ahead as scheduled.
Weather and pitch conditions will continue to be monitored closely through the rest of the day.
Update on World Rugby U20 Championship match between New Zealand and Spain (19:50 GMT+2)
Due to heavy rainfall at Danie Craven stadium in Stellenbosch and after a pitch assessment from match officials and organisers, the match between New Zealand U20 and Spain U20 has been stopped as it couldn’t be continued in safe conditions.
As per the tournament rules, the result and score at half-time (New Zealand 43 – 13 Spain) will stand.
World Rugby U20 Championship - Match Day 3
Athlone Stadium
- 14:00 - Ireland U20 v Australia U20 - Cancelled
- 16:30 - France U20 v Wales U20 - Confirmed
- 19:00 - South Africa U20 v England U20 - Confirmed
