NewsCorp report the document, seen by only a handful of rugby supremos, signals that if South Africa cut two teams, the Force will be axed.

SANZAAR last month agreed a 15-team competition for 2018-19 was imperative moving forward.

They deemed the current 18-team four-conference system too complicated which shows in the steep decline in viewers.

All Australian players are understood to be considering a strike during the National Rugby Championship if the ARU decides to cull a team.