South Africa is set to turn its back on Super Rugby and link up with the Pro14, according to reports out of the UK.
Wales Online is reporting that two more South African outfits will enter the Pro14 for the 2019/20 campaign, with another joining for the following season.
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The Pro14 is a top rugby competition featuring professional teams from Italy, Ireland, Wales, Scotland, and South Africa.
It used to be just a European completion, but it grew from 12 to 14 when the Bloemfontein-based Cheetahs and Port Elizabeth-based Kings joined last year after being culled from Super Rugby.
Now it's understood that the Sharks will be one of two South African sides to join for the 2019/20 season, with the Lions and Stormers likely to follow, and join by the 2020/21 season.
According to the report, it says South Africa's remaining Super Rugby franchises have grown increasingly frustrated with competing alongside opposition from New Zealand, Australia and Argentina, saying that the African teams are disadvantaged by the time zones and format of the competition.
As it stands, South African teams have to make month-long trips to Australasia for away matches, compared to New Zealand and Australian sides, who only go on two-week trips to South Africa.
South African rugby has also seen numerous big-name players leave for big money deals in Europe in recent years and it is hoped moving teams to the PRO14 can help stop that trend.
SANZAAR boss CEO Andy Marinos has since slammed these claims saying they are false.
"SANZAAR - through its joint venture partners - Australia, Argentina, New Zealand and South Africa - is currently engaged in a detailed strategic planning process that will deliver a roadmap for the organisation, Super Rugby and The Rugby Championship from 2018-2030," Marinos said in a statement.
"As part of this process the partners have fully committed to the strategy and future participation.
"Any talk of a change to the stakeholder relationship and partners withdrawing, and so-called Trans-Tasman competitions is unsubstantiated speculation and simply wrong."
The Cheetahs and the Kings were two of the weaker Super Rugby teams, before their Pro14 transfer. The Kings failed to impress in their first season, but the Cheetahs made a substantial impact, qualifying for the quarter-finals.
Both sides have helped bring in extra money to the competition, and it will only increase if more teams from Africa join the Celtic league.
It is understood that the new three-year broadcasting deal for the Pro14 has factored in the potential inclusion of more South African teams.
The report also says that Sanzaar has drawn up plans for expansion of their own as a contingency plan should the South African franchises head to Europe, which includes adding teams from the United States.
Newshub.
