Cape Town - President of the Free State Cheetahs, Harold Verster, says it is unlikely that the Cheetahs and the Southern Kings will merge at the start of the 2013 Super Rugby season.

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Verster, also the CEO of the Cheetahs Company told the Volksblad newspaper they are confident that the central union will survive as an entity of its own in future.

This comes after apparent rumours that the Cheetahs and Kings could merge to form one franchise in 2013. The South African Rugby Union (SARU) has to accommodate the Eastern Cape side in Super Rugby from 2013 onwards and the merging with the Cheetahs is apparently an option.

However, Verster believes the Cheetahs have a strong case to remain as a franchise and has denied talks of an amalgamation with the Kings.

"There's a lot of uncertainty regarding 2013. The chances that the Cheetahs will survive are better than what people think.

"There's no mention that we and the Kings will merge," said Verster.
 
Verster said the Cheetahs are the only truly South African regional team as they comprise of three unions: The Griffons, Free State and Griquas. The Cheetahs have used a fair amount of Griquas' players in recent years, while the other unions mainly used players from one union (i.e. as they play in the Currie Cup).

Verster noted that there's only one franchise which represents the central part of South Africa, also noting that the Bulls and the Lions are, for example, very close to each other.

He further warned that the Northern Cape and Free State governments are firmly behind the Cheetahs' existence in Super Rugby.

Verster believes it is logistically impossible for the Cheetahs and Kings to merge. "There are few flights between Bloemfontein and Port Elizabeth and you can't drive 650km every time.

"We previously played with the Lions for the Cats, but it didn't work due to logistical problems," said Verster.