The Argentina Rugby Union hopes to have a Currie Cup team from next year.

‘We are working hard to try to access the Currie Cup in 2019,’ said Rodríguez. ‘We are in an advanced process that has to follow a logical decision on the part of SA Rugby, but until now we have received support and goodwill [from them]. On our part, we are still studying a set of issues to resolve, which have to do with logistics and the budgetary impact.

‘We are working hard to have a financial model that allows us to participate,’ Rodriguez added. ‘We are very optimistic, we are going to have at least two more meetings [with SA Rugby] at the end of the year.

‘South Africa also needs to go through these decision processes: for how long would the partnership be, where would we be located, while defining the rights and obligations that concern us.’

This would not be the first time that an Argentinian side has featured in a South African rugby competition, with the Pampas XV having played in the Vodacom Cup.

The Currie Cup Premier Division currently consists of seven teams, with the tournament being played over a single round this year.