South Africa plan to add two more Pro14 teams

Talks are ongoing over the possibility of turning the Guinness Pro14 into the Pro16 with the addition of two new clubs, the head of South African rugby has confirmed.

In the summer of 2017 the Cheetahs and the Southern Kings from South Africa joined the league, which had previously been made up of clubs from Scotland, Ireland, Wales and Italy.

Cheetahs reached the quarter-final stage where they were beaten by the eventual runners-up, Scarlets.

And now South Africa Rugby Union president Mark Alexander has said that two more of their sides could soon be migrating north.

“We are in discussions with the organisers of the Pro14 about two more of our franchises joining the competition,” Alexander said.

“There is nothing concrete at this stage but we see this as a long-term investment.

“When you consider player welfare and what is best for them then playing in the Northern Hemisphere is better for them.”

The next two teams who may join the expanded league are the Pumas from Mpumalanga and the Griquas from Kimberley.