 The 2004 Super 12 title went to the ACT Brumbies |
Rugby union's three southern hemisphere giants have announced a major expansion of their international and club competitions from 2006. Two teams will be added to the Super 12 tournament, one from Australia and the other from South Africa.
And a third round of Tests between the Springboks, Wallabies and All Blacks will be added to the Tri-Nations.
Australia currently have three teams in the Super 12 while South Africa have four and New Zealand five.
Sanzar, the organisation that represents the South African, New Zealand and Australian rugby unions, said the decision to increase the size of the Super 12 competition reflected demand from fans and television companies.
Australian Rugby Union boss Gary Flowers said: "It has been no secret that our ambition has been to expand on the huge success of Super 12 in Australia.
"This marks a significant expansion not only for Australian rugby but our whole game."
Under the current Tri-nations format, the three countries play each other once at home and once away each season.
From 2006, they will play a third match against each other, with the venue rotating on a yearly basis.
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