Rugby:The South African Rugby Union (SARU) in consultation with the IRB has made the decision to move the remainder of the 2012 IRB Junior World Championship matches scheduled for Danie Craven Stadium in Stellenbosch due to the deterioration in the playing surface following torrential rain.

With the surface at Danie Craven Stadium having cut up significantly after two rounds of three matches in the flagship age grade competition and bad weather hitting the Cape Town area, the decision was agreed by all stakeholders following an inspection of the surface.

The iconic Newlands Stadium will now host both semi-finals and the fifth place semi-final on Sunday, June 17th, and the third place play-off and the tournament final on Friday, June 22nd. Kick-off times and broadcast arrangements remain the same.

Cape Town Stadium will host Tuesday’s round of pool matches (Ireland v Italy, South Africa v England and France v Australia) previously scheduled for Danie Craven stadium. Matches at the University of Western Cape stadium in Cape Town remain as scheduled.

IRB Junior World Championship Tournament Director Philippe Bourdarias said: “With pitch conditions having deteriorated and little time for it to recover sufficiently between rounds and three match days left to play at Danie Craven Stadium, including the semi-finals and the Championship final, all stakeholders, including the venue, agreed that it is in the best interests of the teams and the Championship to switch venues.

“The Danie Craven stadium has been an outstanding and welcoming host and I would like to thank all of their staff for their hospitality and dedication to staging fantastic match days. It is a shame to move, but unfortunately the pitch could not withstand the demand placed upon it given the poor weather conditions.”