As hare-brained schemes go, deciding to include the Southern Kings in 2013 takes some beating because administrators effectively voted for a non-existent resolution.

It was only after the decision was taken that the Kings will play Super Rugby that Saru spoke of seeking a way past the impasse by revealing South Africa will lobby Sanzar partners Australia and New Zealand to try to increase the number of teams to 16 in the hope of accommodating the Kings without one of the other SA teams having to drop out.

Given how long the problem of elevating the trio of Eastern Province, Border and South Western Districts has existed, you have to ask why this was not done sooner? The 2011 tournament ended in July last year and it makes no sense that Saru are only now seeking a solution to a predicament that has been around since 2005 when the Southern Spears came into being on the back of big promises.

The eastern region is a stronghold of black rugby but Saru's efforts to tap into this resource and head off accusations of a lack of transformation, have been futile. The union has spent vast sums, both in underwriting the struggling unions and fighting legal battles, but with very little to show for it.

It is staggering, for instance, that other than an ill-conceived project at Bushman's Sand in Alicedale (100km from Port Elizabeth), no proper academies have been established in places such as New Brighton and Mdantsane. Equally, the three unions concerned have been wracked by bad management and in-fighting and have not demonstrated they have the will or means to compete in the big leagues.

Yet again, Saru has adopted a top-down approach with the decision to give the Kings Super Rugby status, but with Australia and New Zealand unlikely to agree to expand the Super 15, the stark reality for the Bulls, Cheetahs, Lions, Sharks and Stormers is that one of them will be eliminated this year to make room for the Kings next year.

The only fair solution would be the obvious sporting one - the team finishing last will relinquish its place to allow the Kings in. No provision has been made for a promotion/relegation play-off but it seems this will be employed from 2013 onwards when the bottom side will have to fight off a challenge to its Super status - which would lead to yet more problems if it happened to be the Kings and they were faced with elimination after just a year in the competition.

A symmetrical 16-team competition would be ideal as it would allow for a return to every team playing every other team and a simpler denouement of natural quarter- and semifinals rather than the unwieldy conference system currently in place. However, not only will the Kiwis and Aussies kick against SA gaining a potential financial edge by having more teams than they have, but others have compelling claims to the extra spot.

Argentina, having been included in the new four nations Rugby Championship, are keen to strengthen their domestic competition and will push strongly to include a team from Buenos Aires, while the Japanese and even the US are clamouring to be given a chance.

Japan, being in the same time zone, is an attractive expansion proposition for Australia and the fact that the Rugby World Cup will be staged there in 2019 will give them a strong suite.