The Currie Cup Premier Division, which starts on Friday, is expected to be reduced from nine teams to eight.

On Tuesday, the provincial unions were expected to vote for the Leopards to replace the EP Kings in the Premier Division, with the Kings dropping down to the First Division. The Kings lost more than a dozen players after Super Rugby and cannot field a competitive Currie Cup team, while the EPRU is set to be liquidated on Thursday.

However, one of the smaller unions voted against the proposal, which meant it could not be passed by SA Rugby's general council.

'We have already recruited potential sponsors, who are very keen to enter into agreements with us,' Leopards CEO André May told Netwerk24.com. 'The right rugby decision was definitely not taken.'

Photo: Lee Warren/Gallo Images