Cape Town - The General Council of the South African Rugby Union has the final responsibility for determining the format of the Absa Curie Cup competition, Jurie Roux, CEO of the South African Rugby Union, confirmed at the launch of the 2011 tournament in Johannesburg on Thursday.

"The President"s Council approved the principle of a strength-versus-strength format from 2012 onwards, when the future structure was reviewed at the end of 2009," said Roux.

"They gave the Competitions Committee the task of determining what format would work, within the broad principles of strength-versus-strength and the new playing calendar from 2011 onwards.

"In March, the committee confirmed that the only practicable format within those constraints was a top division of six teams and a first division of eight teams. That recommendation was accepted by the Executive Council who, in turn, must seek acceptance of their recommendation at a General Council meeting."

Roux said the rationale for the recommendation was presented to a workshop of union presidents and CEOs in Cape Town last week.

A number of concerns were raised and alternatives were discussed but none was accepted as a workable substitute.

Roux said the decision-making process was not complete and that further discussions would take place before the General Council would be asked to make a final decision.

"Both ABSA and SuperSport are aware of the debate and favour the recommended model, but the final decision rests with the unions," said Roux.

He added that the decision needed to be taken during the course of 2011 but no specific timelines had been attached.