Another Super Rugby expansion?

Taking on the Lions: But since then, there's not been much for the Kings

Myth or truth this time? Only time will tell, but the Southern Kings have once again been linked with a Super Rugby expansion.

This time it is believed that the Super 15 will become 16 in 2013, according to the Sydney Morning Herald, with the proposal apparently accepted by all three SANZAR nations at a recent meeting.

It's not yet clear how the team would fit into the country conference system, but it could be that South African teams play one match more and start their campaign a little earlier than Australia and New Zealand.

If true - and this is something that has been supposed to happen several times now - SARU will be off the hook frm its government, to whom the union has undertaken to provide South Africa's Eastern Cape with top-flight rugby.

The Super 15 of 2011 starts with teams from the respective countries first participating in derbies against one another before taking on overseas opponents.

With the Kings' expected involvement in 2013, it may mean that three Super rugby derbies are played per weekend in South Africa.

There was talk at SARU that the Kings may participate in a European competition later this year. Nothing has come of that, nor have any of the mooted friendly matches against international opponents materialised, bar the clash with the touring Lions a year ago. There's only so many times you can cry wolf.