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Cape Town - The Cheetahs and Southern Kings’ participation in Europe’s Pro12 competition is expected to be made official within the next few days.
SA Rugby confirmed last week that the Cheetahs and Kings will not play Super Rugby in 2018, with both franchises agreeing that they would be seeking other international opportunities.
The Pro12 - a competition featuring teams from Ireland, Scotland, Wales and Italy - is believed to be the most viable option, with several reports indicating that the tournament will be rebranded to Pro14.
According to Bloemfontein-based radio station, OFM, an official announcement could be made as soon as Saturday (July 15).
A report on the radio station’s website indicates that the Pro12 organisers would make the announcement themselves, with Cheetahs CEO Harold Verster commenting on the matter: “We have negotiated an amicable solution and there is a wonderful opportunity for us up north, for the Cheetahs and Kings. Unfortunately they have opted to make the release themselves once everything is in place. That will be around about the 15th of July, once their board is in place.”
The Kings and Cheetahs play their final Super Rugby match on Friday night when they square off in Port Elizabeth (19:00).
Teams:
Kings
15 Malcolm Jaer, 14 Wandile Mjekevu, 13 Berton Klaasen, 12 Luzuko Vulindlu, 11 Makazole Mapimpi, 10 Lionel Cronje (captain), 9 Louis Schreuder, 8 Andisa Ntsila, 7 Tyler Paul, 6 Chris Cloete, 5 Wilhelm van der Sluys, 4 Lubabalo Mtyanda, 3 Ross Geldenhuys, 2 Michael Willemse, 1 Mzamo Majola
Substitutes: 16 Martin Bezuidenhout, 17 Schalk Ferreira, 18 Dayan van der Westhuizen, 19 Irne Herbst/Mzwanele Zito, 20 Thembelani Bholi, 21 Rudi van Rooyen, 22 Masixole Banda, 23 Waylon Murray/Yaw Penxe
Cheetahs
15 Clayton Blommetjies, 14 William Small-Smith, 13 Francois Venter (captain), 12 Clinton Swart, 11 Raymond Rhule, 10 Fred Zeilinga, 9 Tian Meyer, 8 Niell Jordaan, 7 Oupa Mohoje, 6 Uzair Cassiem, 5 Reniel Hugo, 4 Carl Wegner, 3 Johan Coetzee, 2 Elandre Huggett, 1 Ox Nche
Substitutes: 16 Joseph Dweba, 17 Charles Marais, 18 Tom Botha, 19 Armandt Koster, 20 Junior Pokomela, 21 Chris Dry, 22 Ruan van Rensburg, 23 Niel Marais
