Cheetahs and Kings go north
SA's Super Rugby losers get a lifeline offer from Europe
The Cheetahs and the Southern Kings will join the Pro12 rugby competition in the northern hemisphere in September.
The Sunday Times understands the two local teams will be cut from the Super Rugby competition at SA Rugby's special general meeting in Cape Town on Friday.
They will have the organisation's blessing to join the Pro12, which consists of two teams from Scotland, four from Ireland, four from Wales and two from Italy.
The Pro12 is one of three leagues in Europe's Six Nations, the other two being England's Premiership and France's Top 14.
Teams from the three leagues can qualify for the European Rugby Champions Cup. Those who do not qualify are still eligible to qualify for the second-tier Challenge Cup.
The Pro12 has always been seen as a lifeline for the two soon-to-be jettisoned South African teams when the decision was taken to reduce Super Rugby from 18 to 15 teams.
The Kings, Cheetahs and a yet to be named Australian team will be cut from a slimmed-down Super Rugby tournament.
However, the decision on which Australian team will be cut is expected to be the subject of a looming court case in Australia that could still have an impact on the future of the tournament.
The Melbourne Rebels and the Perth-based Western Force are set to have a legal showdown with the embattled Australian Rugby Union over the identity of the Australian team to be culled.
The Sunday Times, meanwhile, understands that the Port Elizabeth-based Kings are keen on the idea of playing in the Pro12...
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