r/RugbyPortugal

CANADA U20 MEN

• Event: World Rugby U20 Challenger

• Competition Dates & Location: October 2 – 17 | Santiago, Chile

• Athletes: 30

• Coaches: Christiaan Esterhuizen, Hubert Buydens

• Opponents Include: Belgium, Hong Kong China, Brazil, Namibia, Portugal, Romania and Chile

“We are very fortunate to have the opportunity to compete in the World Rugby U20 Challenger. It gives us the chance to test ourselves against strong nations and, just as importantly, expose our players to the pressure and demands of international rugby, which is such a vital stepping stone in their development. Tournaments like this are key for our pathway. They allow players to come together, grow their understanding of what it takes to perform at this level, and build connections as a team. Our hope is that these experiences help create a strong platform for the future, both for this group and for the broader Canadian rugby pathway.” - Christiaan Esterhuizen, Head Coach

https://rugby.ca/en/news/2026/04/rugby-canada-announces-2026-nextgen-programming