Out.

South African PRO14 side the Southern Kings this morning announced they will not take part in any domestic competitions for the remainder of 2020 due to financial issues.

The Kings and fellow South African side the Cheetahs were excluded from the PRO14 restart due to the continued lockdown in South Africa and travel restrictions in place but the Kings but were set to be one of eight teams competing in a domestic competition scheduled to start in September.

But today’s news now puts their PRO14 future in serious doubt with the Cheetahs place in the competition now up in the air.

PRO14 officials have now released a statement to confirm neither team will take part in the competition this year but talks are still ongoing for 2021.

“PRO14 Rugby is aware of the Southern Kings voluntary decision to withdraw from any domestic competitions in South Africa for the rest of the 2020 calendar year,” a statement read.

“Due to on-going travel restrictions enforced by the South African government against the backdrop of the Covid-19 pandemic, it is not foreseen that any cross-border Guinness PRO14 games involving South Africa teams will take place until 2021. PRO14 Rugby remains in discussion with SA Rugby on when South African participation in the league can resume in the new year.

“Work is already underway to concentrate the opening 2020/21 fixtures among the 12 European-based clubs.”