Super 12 becomes 14

SANZAR, the South African, New Zealand and Australian Rugby Unions, has announced that two additional teams will be added to the Super 12 – one from Australia and one from South Africa, creating a Super 14 competition.

The Tri Nations Series will also be expanded to include a third round of Test matches between the Springboks, Wallabies and All Blacks.

The expanded package is part of the proposal for the renewal of broadcast rights for a five-year period beyond 2006, with the current 10-year agreement with News Limited due to expire at the end of 2005.

NZRU and current SANZAR chief executive Chris Moller said: “The SANZAR proposal reflects the value of these premier rugby competitions and also the demand from fans, players, our participating rugby unions and global broadcasters, for more teams and more matches.”

ARU CEO Gary Flowers said: “It has been no secret that our ambition has been to expand on the huge success of Super 12 in Australia.

“This marks a significant expansion not only for Australian rugby but our whole game.”

SARFU president Brian van Rooyen said: “Both Super 12 and Tri Nations have achieved great success in South Africa and internationally, and following the success of the Springboks in this year’s Tri Nations competition, we now have an opportunity to build further on these competitions.

“This agreement demonstrates the breadth and depth of the SANZAR partnership in that the aspirations of Australia and South Africa to add additional Super rugby teams have been achieved.

“At the same time, we have also incorporated New Zealand and South Africa’s desire to manage the rights of the premier domestic rugby competitions.”