Western Province, Blue Bulls, Free State and Eastern Province have accepted an invitation to play four leading Welsh clubs in a South Africa-Wales Challenge Cup.
The tournament, will see the South African outfits pitted against Cardiff, Bridgend, Pontypridd and Llanelli is scheduled to take place across Wales next month.
The South African teams will play against their Welsh counterparts on November 8 and 12.
The best South African and Welsh teams will then meet in a final on November 15.
The similar time zones, the significant South African population in the UK and the high-profile players from the country plying their trade in Wales contributed towards the establishment of the competition.
The Challenge cup represents an important development in world club rugby, and gives Welsh players some excellent preparation ahead of next year’s Rugby World Cup.
Schedule:
Round 1: 8 November
Pontypridd v Blue Bulls,
Cardiff v Free State,
Llanelli v WP,
Bridgend v EP
(kick-off times to be confirmed by home teams and television).
Round 2: 12 November
Cardiff v Blue Bulls,
Pontypridd v Free State,
Bridgend v WP,
Llanelli v EP.
Final: 15 November
Welsh team v SA team.
(At ground of Welsh club that qualifies for final)
How will our sides do…Can we complete with the South Africans?
Do we need another Challenge Cup in an already crowded season?
Is this the sort of preparation we need before the World Cup?
Have your say on the wru.co.uk message board…
