Recap on two South African sides joining expanded PRO12 for new season

Last week, the Guiness PRO12 and the South African Rugby Union came to an agreement to grant Super Rugby franchises, the Cheetahs and Southern Kings, places in an expanded Northern Hemisphere league ahead of the 2017/18 season. Both sides were cut from Super Rugby after the championship cut the number of participating teams from 18 to 15. South Africa had to cede two teams while Australia, who have yet to make an announcement, is set to lose one of their franchises before the end of the off-season. The PRO12, which currently features teams from Italy, Ireland, Scotland and Wales, reached out …