South Africa's increasing European focus is nothing new but the prospect of them walking away from Super Rugby altogether seems far-fetched, at least for now.

Suggestions have emerged from the north that three more South African teams will join the Pro14 from 2020. According to reports, the Sharks, Stormers and Lions will follow the Cheetahs' and Southern Kings' lead after becoming "disillusioned" with Super Rugby.

The validity of these reports must be questioned, though. Within the Sanzaar alliance, the belief is South Africa remains committed to retaining their four teams in Super Rugby beyond the next broadcasting deal which expires in 2020.

With the Cheetahs and Kings finding a home in the expanded Pro14, South Africa always intended to double its presence in Europe. That is, however, more likely to come from the promotion of the semi-professional Pumas, a South African team based in South Eastern Transvaal, and Griquas, who play in Kimberley.

After a tender process both teams were granted status as South Africa's seventh and eighth franchises late last year.

Furthermore, in an interview with the Herald last September, South African chief executive Jurie Roux clearly outlined the long-term vision for rugby in the Republic, stressing a continued focus on Super Rugby.

The plan was for South Africa to eventually have four teams in each hemisphere.

"We have four teams in Sanzaar; we have two in Pro14 and the other two will start to develop to play somewhere. Hopefully something like the Anglo-Welsh as a development tournament. At the right time in 2020 we can then make a decision on where our bases are," Roux told the Herald last year.

"We believe we are as strong as we are because we play Australia, Argentina and New Zealand. We measure ourselves by those teams even though the north is getting better. We are committed to Sanzaar beyond 2020."

Either Roux and South Africa have done a complete backflip in the last eight months or these reports have jumped the gun.