Tuesday 1 August 2017 12:03, UK
The PRO12 confirmed they will be expanding to the PRO14 with South African sides the Cheetahs and the Kings joining their ranks.
With that in mind, we caught up with former Springbok full-back Thinus Delport, who gave us his views on how the Cheetahs and the Kings will fare in the newly formed PRO14.
What do you make of the Cheetahs and Kings joining the PRO14?
Thinus: It is very exciting and strategically it is a very good move for South African Rugby. Yes, there will be challengers but this is opening up South African rugby to a new and wider audience.
I think it will give the chance for young South African players to play in the northern hemisphere and get used to the style of play and the conditions.
What do you think these SA teams will bring to the competition?
Thinus: The style of play is different in the southern hemisphere. Both the Kings and the Cheetahs take a ball-in-hand approach. The Cheetahs have always been a very exciting attacking team to watch and the Kings have really improved their attacking play as well.
The big challenge for both sides in terms of play will be the weather conditions, which they are not used too, as well as the defensive focus of the northern hemisphere. They won't be used to such a strong pressured defence.
What sort of talent can we expect from these teams?
Thinus: The Kings have unearthed some real gems under coach Davids. The Eastern Cape has always been a hotbed of African rugby and these guys have been given a chance to perform at the highest level. Guys like Andisa Ntsila at No 8 brings a lot of explosive power.
In the backline you have got to look at the attacking capabilities of Makazole Mapimpi, Wandile Mjekevu and Malcolm Jaer - what an exciting back three to have in any side.
The Cheetahs are not scared to attack so expect them to throw the ball around from all over the park. Hopefully, they can keep hold of the likes of Raymond Rhule, who is a very destructive finisher.
Ox Nche is another player to keep an eye on - he is a very mobile prop who has some excellent hands as well.
They also have some South African Seven players in their ranks - guys like Rosco Speckman, Cecil Afrika and Chris Dry who are getting an opportunity to show what they can do in the 15-man game. They should bring a lot of excitement to the way the Cheetahs play.
What challenges will the Celtic and Italian teams face travelling to SA?
Thinus: They will have to deal with the pressure of travel fatigue but lucky for them there is no real time difference so they won't need to deal with jet lag.
Condition wise, the fields are going to be much harder and much faster. Weather wise, it will be much hotter as well.
Any chance of the Kings or Cheetahs winning in their debut season?
Thinus: I think that would be a big ask. In any debut season, it takes time to adapt to the conditions, there will be a lot of logistical challenges as well as them getting used to playing in Europe.
I don't think they can win in their first season but they will be very competitive.
Catch all the action from the new Guinness PRO 14 on Sky Sports
