The Cheetahs have been installed as 11/1 fourth favourites alongside the Ospreys to lift the Guinness Pro12 title this season.... despite the South African franchise not yet being confirmed as participants.

The Bloemfontein-based side are poised to join an expanded Pro12 alongside the Southern Kings after both franchises were cut from the Super Rugby competition.

Pro12 chiefs have confirmed they are in discussions with the South African Rugby Union to expand the league and in a short statement, have said that talks are at an 'advanced and positive' stage.

Official confirmation of their arrival in the Celtic competition is expected next week.

(Image: Huw Evans Picture Agency)

It is thought the league will be split into two conferences of seven teams, comprising of two Welsh, two Irish, one Scottish, one Italian and one South African.

There were initial fears that the new structure would see a reduction in the number of domestic derbies between Welsh and Irish teams, though that is now understood not to be the case.

With the two South African franchises' participation in the Pro12, bookies have already published odds for next season with the Cheetahs an 11/1 shot to lift the title won by the Scarlets in May with the Kings priced at 14/1, higher up in the betting order than the Blues and Dragons who are 40/1 shots.

The Scarlets are third favourites at 11/2 shots to successfully defend their crown while Munster, who the west Wales region beat in the Grand Final at Dublin's Aviva Stadium are second in the list at 3/1 behind favourites Leinster (15/8).

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Betway’s Alan Alger, said: “The two new South African franchises will be a relative unknown to the current Pro12 teams when they join the competition later this year, and we think both will struggle to challenge for honours in their debut season.

“We make the Bloemfontein-based Cheetahs fourth favourite for the 2017/18 title at 11/1, with the Southern Kings an outside shot at 14/1.

“The Cheetahs pipped the Kings in their last match of this year’s underwhelming Super Rugby campaign, and we expect them to also finish next season higher in their respective conferences at 8/13.”

Betway odds for Guinness Pro12 winner: Leinester 15/8; Munster 3/1; Scarlets 11/2; Cheetahs 11/1; Glasgow 11/1; Ospreys 11/1; Ulster 11/1; Southern Kings 14/1; Blues 40/1; Edinburgh 40/1; Dragons 40/1; Connacht 40/1; Treviso 40/1; Zebre 40/1.