Share

Asia gets 18th Super 15 team

Cape Town - The evolution of Super Rugby is set to expand into Asia with SANZAR confirming that tenders from Japan and Singapore will vie for the license to run a team when the competition grows to 18 participants in 2016.

How Super Rugby from 2016 onwards will work - hopefully...

Following an initial expression of interest process, SANZAR has created a shortlist of these two Asian-based applicants that best meet the criteria required to successfully run a Super Rugby franchise and will subsequently proceed with the full tender before a decision is reached in September/October.

SANZAR CEO Greg Peters said: "We are now able to confirm that two parties from Asia will compete for the opportunity to join an expanded Super Rugby competition in 2016. Asia is a region that has been the focus of considerable investment by the International Rugby Board in recent years and is a strategically sound location for the evolution of Super Rugby.

"We were happy with the number of responses received, however the two stand-out expressions of interest that were most attractive to the SANZAR unions were received from Japan and Singapore.

"Each bid has the support of the respective National Unions and includes other interested parties who will provide commercial and business support required for a venture of this nature."

The two bidders now have until mid-August to submit formal tender documents, outlining why they are best-positioned to join the world's premier international provincial rugby competition when it expands to 18 teams in 2016.

The bids will be assessed against the key criteria of commercial value, infrastructure, geographic location, rugby readiness and ongoing sustainability.

The return of the Kings and a team based in Argentina have already been confirmed by SANZAR when the format was announced in May this year.
We live in a world where facts and fiction get blurred
Who we choose to trust can have a profound impact on our lives. Join thousands of devoted South Africans who look to News24 to bring them news they can trust every day. As we celebrate 25 years, become a News24 subscriber as we strive to keep you informed, inspired and empowered.
Join News24 today
heading
description
username
Show Comments ()
Voting Booth
Should Siya Kolisi keep the captaincy as the Springboks build towards their World Cup title defence in 2027?
Please select an option Oops! Something went wrong, please try again later.
Results
Yes! Siya will only be 36 at the next World Cup. He can make it!
26% - 1117 votes
No! I think the smart thing to do is start again with a younger skipper ...
29% - 1283 votes
I'd keep Siya captain for now, but look to have someone else for 2027.
45% - 1976 votes
Vote
Editorial feedback and complaints

Contact the public editor with feedback for our journalists, complaints, queries or suggestions about articles on News24.

LEARN MORE