Johannesburg - The South African Football Association (SAFA) on Thursday confirmed that it would host the African Youth Championship instead of Libya.
The African football confederation (CAF) decided on Wednesday that the ongoing unrest in Libya made a hosting of the competition, which was due to start March 18, impossible and asked South Africa to step in.
SAFA said it had been involved in a number of discussions with CAF.
"The tournament in South Africa will run from April 17 to May 2," SAFA said.
South Africa, who were knocked out by Lesotho while qualifying for the tournament, will take the place of Libya in the final tournament.
The four semi-finalist from the tournament qualify for the Under- 20 World Cup which will be held in Colombia later this year.
South Africa hosted the World Cup last summer.