An expanded Super 17 rugby series looks set to include the first side from Argentina and a sixth team from South Africa after bosses approved a “preferred model” on Thursday.
The changes got the nod at a meeting of the South African, New Zealand and Australian Rugby (SANZAR) executive committee in Sydney, and will now be taken to national unions for approval.
Should the proposal be accepted, it would take effect from the 2016 season as the current broadcast deal expires at the end of 2015.
“Today’s meeting was another important step in deciding the future of Super rugby,” SANZAR CEO Greg Peters said in a statement.
“Encouraging progress was made and we now have a preferred model that involves six teams from South Africa and a new team from Argentina.
“The model will now be taken to the national unions for approval before SANZAR presents its final position to broadcasters and fans in due course.”
The southern hemisphere provincial competition currently includes five teams from each of Australia, New Zealand and South Africa.
In 2012, SANZAR expanded the former Tri-Nations competition to include Argentina and rebranded it as the Rugby Championship.
Previous reports have said the Super rugby competition was at risk of splintering if South Africa, who currently run a promotion-relegation system, were not allowed a sixth team.
Join The Roar rugby editor Christy Doran, former Wallaby Matt Toomua and a cast of regular and special guests as they look at the biggest issues in the game on The Roar Rugby Podcast. If you’re looking for great odds on the next game check out Aussie bookmaker PlayUp. Chances are you’re about to lose. Set a deposit limit.
South Africa have managed to grind out victory in a "proper Test match", edging Argentina 22-21 in their final Rugby Championship fixture at Ellis…
Argentina's rugby union players believe Michael Cheika is instilling belief into them that they can be world beaters. The Australian coach is having an…
A tournament that was positioned perfectly at the mid-point, with all four sides having won and lost twice, eventually split into two, with New…
This year’s Rugby Championship has been fantastic for its closeness, and even if it probably did open up a bit with last weekend’s results,…
Sack all the tipsters. With all sides entering Round 3 with a win and a loss to their name, all conventional wisdom pointed to…
The second Test between Argentina and Australia hit many people like a bucket of ice water. The first Test was a rollercoaster that had…
