Ireland U20s advance to semi-finals as Australia clash is cancelled due to weather

CANCELLED: The Irish team warm up in the car park due to the weather. Pic: ©INPHO/Steve Haag Sports/Darren Stewart

Ireland’s crunch World Rugby U-20 Championship game in South Africa against Australia has been cancelled because of a torrential downpour and strong winds in Cape Town.

Both teams have been awarded two points and that’s enough for Ireland to advance to next Sunday’s semi-finals, although the cancelled match robs them of the opportunity to bid for top seeding.

They will finish as winners of Pool B on eleven points, Australia are on eight and Italy, who go into the final round against Georgia on four points, can't catch them.

The Irish game is one of three final pool rounds due to take place at Athlone Sports Stadium this (Tuesday) afternoon but the dreadful weather which has hammered the Cape Town region since early morning has forced it to be cancelled.

Rugby in the rain 🌧️

Testing conditions today at Match day 3 of #WorldRugbyU20s

Catch it all on RugbyPass TV pic.twitter.com/C4koeHdwJh

— RugbyPass (@RugbyPass) July 9, 2024

Groundsmen are working on the surface at the 34,000 capacity stadium which is home to the Cape Town Spurs football team and the other two games scheduled for the venue may yet go ahead as the weather abates.

Ireland just needed to avoid defeat against Australia — who they beat in heavy rain at the same stage last year in Paarl in South Africa to reach the last four — to again reach Sunday’s semi-finals.

The Irish game is due to be followed at Athlone Sports Stadium by the clash of France and Wales, with a huge crowd expected for the evening clash between hosts South Africa and England.

CANCELLED: Ireland versus Australia at Athlone has been rained off. Cancellation means two points each, meaning Ireland qualify for the semi-finals as Pool B winners without having to kick-off off against Australia. #WorldRugbyU20s #IREvAUS #IrishRugby #JuniorWallabies pic.twitter.com/rEdk2ZhAgU

— RugbyPass (@RugbyPass) July 9, 2024

Weather warnings were issued in Cape Town as heavy seas pounded the area in a storm.

The three games planned today for the Danie Craven Stadium in Stellenbosch region outside Cape Town have started with Argentina and Fiji playing each other on a heavy pitch with the rain finally easing.

“In the interest of player safety, today’s fixture between Ireland and Australia has been cancelled due to adverse weather,” said a World Rugby statement.

“Updates on the remaining games at Athlone Sports Stadium will follow.

“Both teams will receive two points. Games at Danie Craven Stadium in Stellenbosch are unaffected,” it added.