Rugby: Pro14 and 4 South African clubs to form the United Rugby Championship in September 2021

The "United Rugby Championship" will begin in September 2021 as the top clubs from South Africa (Cell C Sharks, DHL Stormers, Emirates Lions and Vodacom Bulls) combine with the Guinness Pro14 (clubs from Ireland, Italy, Scotland and Wales) to create a world-class 16-team league, according to SA Rugby and Pro14 Rugby, on 15/06/2021.

"This agreement will create a pathway for SA Rugby to become a full shareholder in Pro Rugby Championship (PRC DAC) alongside the Celtic and Italian unions. Subject to contract, all teams, including South African teams in the United Rugby Championship will be eligible to qualify for EPCR competitions in time for the 2022-23 season," explained the two co-organising bodies.

"The regular season of the United Rugby Championship will take place across 18 rounds with each team's fixtures comprising of six (6) Home and away fixtures against their regional pool opponents (see below) and 12 Home or away fixtures against the remaining teams in the league," added SA Rugby and Pro14.

The four South African clubs, which previously participated in Super Rugby (see…