Former SANZAR chief executive Andy Marinos has returned to his old role to oversee the biggest shake-up in Super Rugby history next year, the organisation has confirmed.

Marinos, an experienced sporting administrator and former player who served as CEO between 2008 and 2010, re-joins SANZAR from the South African Rugby Union, where he has served as general manager of commercial and marketing for the past five years.

He replaces Greg Peters, who resigned earlier this year to take up a position with the Argentina Rugby Union and their new Super Rugby franchise.

Marinos, who earned eight Test caps for Wales and also briefly attempted a rugby league career in 1996 with the NRL’s Bulldogs, faces a significant challenge as SANZAR boss with the impending inclusion of the new Super Rugby teams from Japan and Argentina.

The Sunwolves and the yet-to-be-named Argentinian team will, along with the return of the Kings from South Africa, provide the competition with a significant boost but will also stretch it both financially and logistically like never before.

“I’m incredibly proud to have been given the responsibility of leading the ongoing growth and prosperity of Southern Hemisphere rugby,” Marinos said.

“We are about to embark upon an exciting new expansion that will see us deliver the game to more countries, fans and commercial markets than ever before.

“The impressive performance of our four national teams at the recent Rugby World Cup was pleasing but the challenge for us is to not only ensure they remain at the top, but that we keep working to raise the bar even further both in terms of high performance and commercial success.”

Marinos will commence his role on January 1.