THIS week's meeting between the organisers of Super Rugby is off as uncertainty continues to shroud their decision to award a franchise to Singapore or Japan.

OThe competition is set to expand in 2016 from 15 to 18 teams, with the Southern Kings and a team from Buenos Aires already awarded two of the three new slots.

Opinion, however, seems to be divided on when the decision on the last franchise will be made and announced with reports in New Zealand suggesting it was scheduled to happen at this week's proposed Sanzar meeting in Johannesburg.

That meeting is now off.

Sanzar chief executive Greg Peters was sleepy and vague when he was contacted in Buenos Aires yesterday morning, saying an announcement will be made some time next month.

Local officials believe they have too much detail from the respective bids to pore over to make a decision before the end-of-season tests in November.

They believe details contained in the respective bids require closer scrutiny and although Singapore's entry into Super Rugby initially drew enthusiastic response in South Africa, the entire picture was not clear then.

With the Asian side set to play in the South African conference the reduced travel time to Singapore as opposed to Tokyo would have been the more palatable proposition for South Africans.

There is, however, the expectation, especially in the northern hemisphere, that a franchise in Japan would be logical given the fact that their base needs to be broadened before they host the 2019 World Cup.

With a decision seemingly drawing closer both contenders have started slinging mud with Singapore pouring scorn on suggestions that they would not be wholly representative of Asian rugby.

They also challenge the assertion that awarding the franchise to Japan would benefit the region more.