Room for more?

Guinness PRO14 organisers have confirmed they are in talks for more South African teams are in talks to join the competition next year with the Bulls, Stormer, Sharks and Lions potentially in line to join the cross-border championship.

On August 25, PRO14 Rugby acknowledged that under current international travel restrictions it is not possible for South African teams to fulfil Guinness PRO14 fixtures until 2021.

But it was recently announced that South African Rugby Union have been able to arrange a domestic schedule for its professional teams with PRO14 organisers welcoming the news.

Two South African teams will likely compete in the PRO14 next season but it looks like the Kings will be replaced, with more South African teams potentially joining too following talks.

“PRO14 Rugby welcomes the news that the South African Rugby Union (SA Rugby) has been able to arrange a domestic schedule for its professional teams and that this is the first step in the return of their teams to on-field action.

“SA Rugby’s long-standing commitments are to field two teams in the Guinness PRO14 and in light of the withdrawal of the Southern Kings, discussions are on-going about fulfilling this agreement from 2021 using a replacement team from its current professional franchises.

“Additionally, both PRO14 Rugby and SA Rugby are in early discussions about potentially expanding the tournament and deepening our partnership to include more South African franchises from 2021.”