PRO12 it is as South African teams sit it out until 2021

John Hodnett of Munster runs in to score his side's sixth try during the Guinness PRO14 Round 11 match between Munster and Isuzu Southern Kings at Musgrave Park in Cork. The Kings and Cheetahs will not play next season's competition. Picture: Brendan Moran/Sportsfile

The PRO14 is to revert to the PRO12 with the news that financial difficulties have brought a halt to the Southern Kings operations while the pandemic, which could yet realign the global rugby map, has grounded the Cheetahs.

The Southern Kings yesterday gave notice of their decision to withdraw from all competitions in South Africa, explaining that a combination of travel restrictions brought on by the pandemic and a large existing debt left them with little choice.