A South African bid based on the Eastern Cape will challenge a Melbourne syndicate for the open spot in an expanded Super 15.
SANZAR, the cooperative group which coordinates rugby competitions between South Africa, New Zealand and Australia, announced on Wednesday it had received two expressions of interest to join an expanded competition from 2011.
Under the existing Super 14 structure, South Africa and New Zealand each have five clubs in the tournament and Australia has four. Under the proposed new format, the competition will be divided into three and the new team will be based in an Australian conference.
The teams will play home-and-away against each team in their conference, as well as a round against the bulk of teams from other two conferences.
The Australian Rugby Union last week backed Melbourne as its preferred venue for the new club, and asked three separate bidders to work together in a unified push.
South Africa Rugby endorsed a bid from the Southern Kings.
SANZAR said both applicants had been asked to submit a formal application for entry and business plan by Sept. 25.
The decision on the new club is expected to be announced in October.
