Unique tests await Cheetahs, Kings
South Africa's first foray into northern hemisphere club rugby is now official and it could lead to a further unbundling of the current southern hemisphere structures.
On Friday, SA Rugby confirmed that the Cheetahs and the Southern Kings would be axed from Super Rugby at the end of the 2017 season in line with Sanzaar's decision to cut the tournament from 18 to 15 teams, and indicated the two sides would play in the northern hemisphere.
SA Rugby chief executive Jurie Roux was guarded about what tournament the Kings and Cheetahs would play in, but two sources have confirmed that they will join the northern hemisphere's Pro 12 in September.
The competition is owned by the Celtic League and includes top teams from Ireland, Wales, Scotland and Italy. It will be expanded to 14 teams to accommodate the two South African teams...
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