JOHANNESBURG - Have the Cheetahs been formally invited to join Europe’s Pro12 League?
If the BBC Scotland website is to be believed then the Bloemfontein-based side have been asked to join up with some of Europe’s best club teams in the competition that includes sides from Ireland, Italy, Scotland and Wales.
The Pro12 is looking to grow and it may be considering expanding to South Africa, and even North America.
The Cheetahs are potentially shopping around for a competition to be a part of from next year if Sanzaar have their wish and cut three teams from the current 18-team Super Rugby competition.
They and the Kings are in the firing line, but so, too, one side from Australia.
The Western Force are likely to be axed, but they have gone to court to challenge the proposed decision, stating they were promised Super Rugby involvement until 2020. The Cheetahs and Kings, too, have voiced their unhappiness about potentially being dropped from Super Rugby.
Sanzaar stated some time ago that they wanted the “restructuring” to be handled swiftly, but two months after making an announcement to the effect the competition numbers will change nothing has happened.
SA Rugby have also mentioned the Pro 12 as a possible competition for the axed teams to be a part of. According to reports, the Cheetahs yesterday denied there was an official offer on the table to join the Pro12.