Ten Network Holdings is set to cover one match of the Super Rugby ­competition each week under the terms of the pending broadcast deal for the sport.

While the agreement, set to begin from 2016, will mark the first time Super Rugby has had a free-to-air ­presence since it was established in 1996, it is understood Ten will only show a replay of one match in a Sunday morning time slot each week.

Ratings were down despite the Waratahs winning the Super Rugby title. Credit:Getty Images

Fox Sports Australia has brokered the deal with the Australian Rugby Union and will maintain live coverage of all Super Rugby matches, on-selling the replay and rights to all Wallabies matches to be simulcast on Ten.

The ARU had attempted to spark a bidding war between the free-to-air broadcasters, but Seven West Media and Nine Entertainment Co showed little interest in the sport, which both have previously broadcast. However, as first reported by The Australian Financial Review, the ARU is set to reap close to $40 million in annual income from rugby union's next ­broadcast rights, albeit mainly due to a large increase in the amount United Kingdom broadcaster Sky Sports will pay the competition's governing body SANZAR.