Hong Kong are likely to host the Mandela Cup match between Australia and South Africa in late August. Australian Rugby Union chief executive John O'Neill has revealed that the Springbok-Wallaby Test, which was to be played in Europe in November, would not be held and that the venue was most likely to be switched to Hong Kong.

The plan to play the Mandela Cup at a major northern hemisphere venue was stymied by the introduction of a northern-southern hemisphere match to be held at Cardiff's Millennium Stadium on November 10. Now Hong Kong has been targeted.

Hong Kong Rugby Football Union chairman John Molloy yesterday confirmed that both the Australian and South African unions had been in contact. 'We have been talking to them for some time now and have expressed great interest in hosting the game. It would come at the ideal time as next season marks the 50th anniversary of the Hong Kong Rugby Union,' Molloy said.