South Africa votes to quit Super Rugby, join Europe competition

South Africa's days in Super Rugby are over with plans to move their four teams into Europe's PRO14 competition.

The South African Rugby Union has voted in favour of withdrawing the Bulls, Stormers, Sharks and Lions in a Special General meeting.

The teams will replace the Cheetahs and Southern Kings who have played in the PRO14 since 2017.

SA Rugby Union Chief Executive Jourie Roux says their members are excited about the prospect of a closer alignment with the PRO Rugby Championship and seeking a northern hemisphere future.

He says these are extraordinary times where they needed to take radical steps to avoid financial meltdown because of the COVID-19 crisis.