South Africa’s Cheetahs and Southern Kings will explore “other international competition opportunities” after reaching settlement agreements over their future participation in Super Rugby, South African Rugby confirmed on Friday.

South Africa will see its number of Super Rugby teams cut from six to four in 2018, with the formal announcement of the teams to be ousted set to be confirmed after Friday’s Executive Council meeting.

“The board of the Cheetahs has reviewed the team’s future and is extremely positive about the prospect of appearing in alternative international competitions,” Cheetahs chief executive Harold Verster said in a statement.

The Super Rugby competition is being cut from 18 to 15 teams next year after complaints from broadcasters over the format of the current tournament

Australia will lose the other team, with either the Melbourne Rebels or Western Force facing the axe.