Major boost for Kings as SANZAR commits to Super Rugby expansion

01 Feb 2016 | Admin Author

South Africa will in future be able to field six teams in the Super Rugby competition.

SANZAR boss Greg Peters gave SARU CEO Jurie Roux this assurance on Tuesday.

The SA Rugby Union wants to see the Super Rugby competition be expanded to 16 teams- to accommodate all six SA franchises, including the Southern Kings who played in this year's competition.

The Kings won't form part of Super Rugby the next two seasons after losing the promotion-relegation series to the Lions last month.

The expansion from the current 15-team competition is likely to come into effect from 2016, when the new Super Rugby broadcasting deals come into effect.

Southern Kings CEO Charl Crous says today's announcement means they can start planning ahead accordingly.
"At lease we know now that the mark has been set. Our youngsters have got something to look forward to and it assists us in retaining our talent base and our pool of players. Now we can really build towards 2016 from a player point of view and in terms of our commercial side. Its great to have that mark out there."

Crous said coupled with SANZAR's Super Rugby assurance, it was now crucial that EP Rugby be granted entry into the Premier Division of the Currie Cup from next year. Crous said such a move would assist EP tremendously in preparing for a competitive return to Super Rugby, and at the same time assist the franchise in holding onto its talented youth. SA Rugby is expected to make its announcement on an expanded 8-team Currie Cup Premier Division next year on the 19th of September.