Despite SANZAAR silencing rumours South African teams will be quiting Super Rugby to play in a European rugby competition, one club president has confirmed there are options on the table they are looking at.
In an interview with the Daily Telegraph, Lions president Kevin de Klerk said there is a real chance South African teams could leave Super Rugby when the current SANZAAR broadcasting deal ends in 2020.
"There is nothing concrete at the moment. When this broadcasting deal comes to an end, there's going to need to be some close negotiations with Sanzaar."
De Klerk says the money available could be what pull clubs north.
"Maybe ultimately, the millions of pounds on offer in Europe will influence the decision," he said.
"From my point of view, I would like to see South Africa remain in Super Rugby, but the European currency is making it difficult."
This week, Wales Online reported that the Sharks, Lions and Stormers were going to follow the previously-axed Southern Kings and Cheetahs to the Pro14 - a competition including teams from Ireland, Scotland, Wales and Italy.
SANZAAR were quick to respond, denying the rumours.
"Sanzaar is currently engaged in a detailed strategic planning process that has the ultimate and very important aim of producing a roadmap for the competitions' future formats up to and including 2030, and in the shorter term the delivery to market of competitions for the next iteration of Sanzaar's broadcasting rights," CEO Andy Marinos.
"As part of this process, the member unions have fully committed to the strategy and their future participation. Any talk of a change to the stakeholder relationship and partners withdrawing, creation of new teams in new markets and trans-Tasman competitions is unsubstantiated speculation and simply wrong."
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