Rugby: The men who would be Kings in an expanded Super 16

The Southern Kings 'can't wait' to become part of Super Rugby. Photo / Getty Images

Reports from South Africa are suggesting that the Super 14 - to become Super 15 next year - will morph into the Super 16 in 2013 when the Southern Kings franchise will join the competition as South Africa's sixth participant.

Reports suggest both the New Zealand Rugby Union and the Australian Rugby Union have agreed the move in principle, although nothing has yet been confirmed. Although nothing should be taken as read, such a move is not unfamiliar in Super Rugby.

Starting as the Super 10 back in the mid-1990s, the competition has regularly added new franchises as Sanzar has looked to offer more value (for more revenue) to their main source of income - broadcasting.

This tactic has not always won approval. Many fans see weaker franchises, such as the Cheetahs, Lions and recently even New Zealand's Highlanders, as being unable to foot it with the top sides. Next year, Australian franchise Melbourne Rebels come onboard and their strength and ability to compete in the top levels of the competition is unknown.

The Southern Kings were created to play a match against the 2009 British Lions in the short-term and to plug into Super Rugby long-term.

The franchise "can't wait" to become part of Super Rugby, according to chief executive Stephan Pretorius: "We are still waiting to be notified and hopefully we will get it next week when the South African Rugby Union (SARU) meets.

"The moment that we officially get the go ahead, we will be able to formally negotiate with sponsors and players."

The Kings have the renowned Cheeky Watson as president - a white Springbok who was the first to play in a mixed-race rugby game in apartheid-controlled South Africa and father of Luke, the Springbok flanker.

The Kings would cover three main rugby centres in South Africa - Port Elizabeth, East London and George. It stems from the old rugby area known as Eastern Province and is part of what is now known as Eastern Cape Province, formed in 1994 from the so-called independent homelands of Transkei and Ciskei, as well as the eastern portion of the old Cape Province.

It has deep historical significance in South Africa, being the landing point of the 1820 settlers and the traditional home of the Xhosa and birthplace of many prominent South Africans, such as Nelson Mandela and Steve Biko.

The franchise had its first outing against the British Lions last year - losing the game 20-8. There were several well-known South African players in that side, like hooker Derick Kuun, lock Ross Skeate, flanker Solly Tyibilika, halfback Francois Hougaard (who faced the Wallabies last night) and backs Jaco van der Westuyzen, de Wet Barry and Wylie Human.

However, it is not known how many of those players would be available for the Kings. The Kings lost out to the Rebels in their last Super Rugby overtures and they follow on from the aborted attempt to get the Southern Spears franchise launched in 2005.