The addition of South African ex Super Rugby sides the Cheetahs and Southern Kings to the European Pro 12 competition is expected to be rubber-stamped in the next week.
Teboho Mohoje from the Toyota Cheetahs during the Super Rugby match between the Toyota Cheetahs and the Western Force at the Free State Stadium. May 2014. Photo: PHOTOSPORT
Reports in South African and British media say a deal has been struck for the two teams to take part and there is a chance of a wider expansion into North America in the coming years as officials seek to tap into more countries to boost revenue.
The Cheetahs and Kings have been dumped by the Southern Hemisphere's Super Rugby competition for 2018 as that is scaled back from 18 to 15 sides, but the Pro 12 is looking to go in the opposite direction and open up new markets.
Currently the competition features teams from Ireland, Wales, Scotland and Italy, but generates significantly less revenue that England's Premier League and France's Top 14.
Cheetahs and Southern Kings in action Photo: Photosport
Adding the Cheetahs and Kings will bring income from South African Rugby and new broadcast markets, with local media reporting the deal is likely to generate an extra $12 million per annum.
That is a significant boost for a competition which has been held in various guises since the first edition in 2001.
Negotiations are also underway with clubs in North America and other parts of Europe.
South African media reported on Tuesday that two more of the country's Super Rugby franchises had expressed an interest in moving to the European competition when their contracts with the Southern Hemisphere version expire in 2020.
The long and difficult travel east and west across time zones to New Zealand, Australia, Japan and Argentina is taxing on the players and not good for television schedules, which has left the teams now looking north instead.
