South Africa plugs O'Neill's plans

The South African Rugby Union has distanced itself from speculation that a Japanese team might be included in an expanded Super 14 competition.

The South African Rugby Union (SARU) has distanced itself from speculation that a Japanese team might be included in an expanded Super 14 competition.

The idea was floated by Australian Rugby Union (ARU) chief executive John O'Neill who was quoted in Japan mid week as saying the idea of adding a Japanese team and almost doubling the length of the tournament to 26 weeks was on the agenda of SANZAR.

An enlarged Super Rugby competition would cut across the long-established provincial competitions in South Africa and New Zealand .

SARU says it has established “internal competitions with a long and proud history” and will not embark on any restructuring that does not recognise South Africa's rugby heritage and traditions.