Team Shosholoza is one of the first of the 2007 America's Cup challengers to accept an invitation to compete in a new international match racings regatta, the Louis Vuitton Pacific Series, to be held in New Zealand early next year.
The South Africans have also mooted the idea of a similar follow-up event to be held in home waters off Durban.
"I was informed directly about the Auckland series by Bruno Trouble of Louis Vuitton when I was in Paris recently. Of course I have accepted their invitation.
"It is very exciting news and I have expressed my satisfaction to Bruno for the magnificent idea. In fact it is the best news we've had since the end of the 32nd America's Cup in Valencia last year," said Captain Salvatore Sarno, Shosholoza founding managing director.
"I have also suggested to Bruno that he start to think about a Louis Vuitton Indian Ocean Cup to be raced here in Durban in May-June 2009," said Sarno.
Sarno said a high-profile event like this would present another "very good opportunity for the Team to continue to showcase South Africa ahead of the 2010 Soccer World Cup."
In the meantime Team Shosholoza will plan to be in New Zealand from January 22 for the Louis Vuitton Pacific Series, which will be held from January 31 to February 14.
"There are still a lot of logistics to be worked out. If the proposed 33rd America's Cup had gone ahead as planned for 2009 we would already have been racing. But this will be good for bringing the team together again and especially to be racing against other America's Cup teams. We are looking forward to it," said Sarno.
Sailing websites and news agencies are buzzing with news of the Louis Vuitton announcement, which was made in Auckland on Monday evening.
The regatta will be held in association with the New Zealand Government, Auckland Agencies, the Royal New Zealand Yacht Squadron, SKYCITY Entertainment Group and Emirates Team New Zealand.