The Mandela Cup challenge match next year is likely to be played in either Tokyo or Hong Kong after Australian Rugby Union chief executive John O'Neill confirmed that the ARU had approached its South African counterpart over playing the Mandela Cup match, which is staged every second year, in Asia. The initial response from the South African Rugby Union was positive.
"We will continue to play the Tri Nations matches in Australia and South Africa but for this additional game we've been happy to discuss the possibility of staging it in an external territory, like Hong Kong or Tokyo," O'Neill said.
"It is SARFU's call because they are the host of the next Mandela Cup match. We hosted the last one in Melbourne last year, with the agreement being that the game is staged every two years, alternating between Australia and South Africa.
"Still, both of us do recognise the potential of playing it elsewhere. I think it is a great idea, but it is still in South Africa's court."
Even if South Africa cool off on the radical idea, Australia is certain to push for the 2004 match to be played offshore. The ARU is well aware of the potential of extra broadcasting revenue, as well as providing the two teams with a new, exotic Test venue, and Asia is the most obvious choice.
Sportbusiness.com
Australian and South African rugby union will benefit from extra broadcasting revenue if a plan for the two countries? teams to clash offshore in Asia goes ahead.
