Michael Green

Port Elizabeth – The Southern Kings cannot wait to become part of a proposed Super 16 rugby tournament from 2013 onwards, says chief executive Stephan Pretorius.

“We are still waiting to be notified and hopefully we will get it next week when the South African Rugby Union (SARU) meets,” said Pretorius.

He was reacting to a media report by Sport24 that stated that the Kings would be allowed into an enlarged Super rugby competition from 2013.

Sport24 understands that SARU made the proposal at a SANZAR meeting and that both New Zealand and Australia accepted it in principle.

“We knew that such a plan would be proposed. While we would have liked to play Super rugby earlier, at least more is being done now than just speculation,” said Pretorius.

“The moment that we officially get the go ahead, we will be able to formally negotiate with sponsors and players.”

Meanwhile, it is reported from Johannesburg that the battle lines have been drawn between SANZAR and the architects of an alternative rugby competition in South Africa.

SANZAR said in a press release that they want absolutely nothing to do with the competition, which would be rugby’s version of cricket’s Indian Premier League (IPL).

Frikkie Erasmus, spokesperson for the organisers of the alternative competition, said they would continue with their planning even if it had to be a rebel series.

SANZAR accused the organisers of approaching players without informing its member unions.

“SANZAR held talks with the organisers to try and understand how it will work. We were told that we would be sent a blueprint, but that has not yet happened,” SANZAR chief executive Steve Tew said in a press release.