The Pumas tried to take the Kings' place in next year's Vodacom Super Rugby tournament.

According to Rapport newspaper, Pumas president Hein Mentz submitted a complete business plan to Saru, which would have seen Nelspruit host a Super Rugby franchise and given the Kings' time give to sort out their finances. The plan had the support of the Mpumalanga provincial government.

The Kings have been struggling to pay their players after a sponsorship deal arranged by president Cheeky Watson failed to materialise.

However, the Pumas' plan came to naught when Saru agreed to take control of the Kings franchise. Rapport says Saru and Watson will hold a crisis meeting on Monday to discuss the embattled union's finances.

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