Southern Kings could join a Super 16 in 2013

South Africa’s sixth Super rugby franchise the Southern Kings looks set to play in Super Rugby from 2013.

Reports suggest that the Super 15 – which kicks off in 2011 – will expand again in 2013 to a Super 16.

The timing is a little odd as 2013 is a British and Irish Lions tour year and they will tour Australia – possibly forcing the Super 15 to be shortened.

There has been much speculation that the Southern Kings would be included in the Super15 but at the expense of another Super14/15 franchise such as the Lions or Cheetahs but in a Super 16 this would not happen as the tournament would expand again.

According to Sport24 the Southern Kings will become the sixth South African franchise after the proposal by South Africa at a SANZAR meeting had been accepted in principle by New Zealand and Australia.

A working committee will iron out the finer details of the issue which may be easier said than done as it will create another imbalance in the teams.

The Super 15 will have three pools of five teams – five from each participating country and it is understood that the Kings will play in the South African pool or conference as they will be called.