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Pro12 in 'advanced and positive discussions' over Cheetahs and Kings inclusion

By Nicholas McGee

19 Jul 2017

Cheetahs’ Clinton Swart during their Super Rugby finale with Southern Kings

Pro12 bosses are in “advanced and positive discussions” with South African Rugby Union over the possibility of adding the Cheetahs and Southern Kings to the league following their removal from Super Rugby.

The Cheetahs and Kings were the two South African franchises chopped as part of a restructure, which will also see one Australian side – either Melbourne Rebels or Western Force – axed from the competition.

The addition of the two clubs to Pro12 has been widely anticipated and Celtic Rugby confirmed a decision on their inclusion is on the horizon.

“Celtic Rugby can confirm that advanced and positive discussions are taking place with the South African Rugby Union regarding the introduction of two teams into an expanded Guinness PRO12 Championship,” a statement on the Pro12 website read.

“Given the proximity of the 2017-18 season start, a final decision on this potential expansion will be confirmed as soon as practical.”

Southern Kings finished fifth in Super Rugby’s South African Group, while the Cheetahs ended second bottom. The two contested their final Super Rugby encounter last week, with the Cheetahs staging a fightback to claim a 21-20 win.

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Comments on RugbyPass

Bull Shark 9 minutes ago

David Campese takes back his Joe Schmidt coaching Australia criticism

This is true.

But perhaps because rugby is Australia’s fourth (or worse) most popular sport, there is just no coaching talent good enough.

It’s interesting that no players from the Aussies golden era (say between 1987 - 2000) have emerged as international quality coaches. Or coaches at all.

Again, Australians are the problem methinks. Not as interested in the game. Not as interested to support the game. Not as interested to get into the game.

And like any other industry in the world - when you don’t have the capabilities or the skills, you import them.

Not difficult to understand really.

27 Go to comments

Bull Shark 17 minutes ago

David Campese takes back his Joe Schmidt coaching Australia criticism

I would say at least one of the 6 if you’d be so kind as to name them?

I’m thinking you can’t name 6 Australian coaches who would be as good as or better than Schmidt.

27 Go to comments

Frans 38 minutes ago

Autumn Nations Series 2024: Everything you need to know about round four

i think Argentina v France could be a good game too, depending on which Argentina turns up. The most difficult to call is Scotland Australia.

2 Go to comments

Bull Shark 47 minutes ago

Autumn Nations Series 2024: Everything you need to know about round four

Australia definitely the game of the weekend. Wallabies by 3.

2 Go to comments

tt 58 minutes ago

Jake White: Ireland, Australia and Wales all have the same problem

Smith is playing a different game with the rest of the backs struggling to understand. That's the problem with so called playmakers, if nobody gets what they're doing then it often just leads to a turnover. It gets worse when Borthwick changes one of them, which is why they don't score points at the end. Sometimes having a brilliant playmaker can be problematic if a team cannot be built around them. Once again Borthwick seems lacking in either coaching or selection. I can't help but think it's the latter coupled with pressure to select the big name players.

Lastly, his forward replacements are poor and exposed either lack of depth or selection pressure. Cole hemorrhages scrum penalties whenever he comes on, opponents take advantage of the England scrum and close out the game. Is that the best England can offer?

10 Go to comments

OJohn 1 hour ago

David Campese takes back his Joe Schmidt coaching Australia criticism

Which Australian coaches would be acceptable to coach the All Blacks ?

27 Go to comments

SF 1 hour ago

Let's be real about these All Blacks

I'm a SA'can and like Ben I hate the springboks.

32 Go to comments

CC 1 hour ago

South Africa vs Wales | Live & Latest Rugby Union Scores & Results | RugbyPass

I reckoned the springbok coach, has now started to underestimate Wales, sending 8players home? Really? It’s not yet over until it’s over Coach

3 Go to comments

Utiku Old Boy 1 hour ago

David Campese takes back his Joe Schmidt coaching Australia criticism

I am waiting for your list of candidates. We had several from which to choose so give me some choice (your list) in Aussie candidates for the ABs. You imply that any Australian would be preferrable to Schmidt, yet E Jones and Cheika obviously didn't meet your standards either. Are you angry that Schmidt is far exceeding Jones? All Oz coaches you have quoted are from way back in time. When you had some choice. What you won't admit, is you got nobody better than a kiwi currently. Otherwise you would be putting them up. The fact you don't shows you are a blowhard because you want to groan about Schmidt purely on the basis he is kiwi - not his impressive results.

27 Go to comments

LV 1 hour ago

Let's be real about these All Blacks

Another poorly written article. Well done Ben, keep up the good work!

32 Go to comments

CC 1 hour ago

Cheslin Kolbe backed to end 16-year wait

Thanks Steve D

12 Go to comments

SteveD 1 hour ago

'Lightweight' Premiership not preparing England players for Test rugby

Too many pampered, precious Posh Boys who think the sun shines out of their backsides?

14 Go to comments

OJohn 1 hour ago

Jake White: Ireland, Australia and Wales all have the same problem

Nothing would have been better. In the last 6 months of McKenzie's coaching, the Wallabies were really starting to hum. They were playing some brilliant rugby, even with no Pocock and came so close to winning the Bledisloe Cup. Only 3 points short I think.

Schmidt is a competent coach and after Jones destroying the Wallabies moral with picking useless Tah players (Bell is very good) any coach could have improved the Wallabies. We have achieved nothing so far really.

10 Go to comments

SteveD 1 hour ago

Sadness pervades as Gatland stands on the brink of Welsh exit

I'm afraid Gatland lost my respect with his uncalled for comments earlier in the year and his whinging about the so-called Boks' bad attitude in the Lions' 2021 tour. I also think he's not done my '6 nations' team much good this time round and they'll be well rid of him with his dated approach.

22 Go to comments

SteveD 1 hour ago

Cheslin Kolbe backed to end 16-year wait

(Erm, quietly, he's Irish)

12 Go to comments

Ardy 1 hour ago

'Steve Borthwick hung his troops out to dry - he should take some blame'

He's coaching like Eddie V2 did in Australia...You need someone with bigger balls and an understanding of what to do to improve what is going on. It is a dynamic environment that is constantly changing as coaches dream up new ways to win. He is like an automaton of Eddie's creation.