AN EASTERN Cape-based South African bid will challenge a Melbourne syndicate for the open spot in an expanded Super 15 rugby competition.

AN EASTERN Cape-based South African bid will challenge a Melbourne syndicate for the open spot in an expanded Super 15 rugby competition.

Sanzar, the group that coordinates rugby competitions between SA, New Zealand and Australia, said yesterday that it had received two expressions of interest to join an expanded competition from 2011.

South Africa endorsed a bid from the Southern Kings. The Australian Rugby Union backed Melbourne as its preferred venue for the new club. Under the existing Super 14 structure, SA and New Zealand each have five clubs in the tournament and Australia has four.

Under the proposed new format, the competition will be divided into three and the new team will be based in an Australian conference. The teams will play home and away against each team in their conference, as well as a round against teams from the other two conferences. - Sapa-AP