More teams to join PRO14?

Rumours are circulating that more South African franchises want to join the expanded PRO14 competition, according to media reports.

South African-based sides the Cheetahs and Southern Kings are taking part in their opening PRO14 fixtures this weekend. The Cheetahs face Ulster in Belfast and the Southern Kings face the Scarlets.

The Times reports that the Johannesburg-based Super Rugby finalists the Lions and the Sharks, who are based in Durban, have both written to the South African Rugby Union and expressed their interest in following the Cheetahs and Kings' lead by playing in a Northern Hemisphere club competition.

It is unlikely that they will be accomodated in the Premiership or Top 14, however.

The Cheetahs and Southern Kings were axed from a now reduced Super Rugby competition, along with Australia’s Western Force.