Argentina will play Test series against one of the three southern hemisphere giants each year from 1999 under an agreement announced yesterday. The Argentine union were effectively given favoured nation status when their representatives met SANZAR (South Africa, New Zealand, Australia Rugby) members in Cape Town.

Argentina will play a two-Test series in South Africa in June next year. It was also agreed that pre-southern hemisphere season tournaments involving Super 12 sides and Argentine teams would take place in mid-February from 1999.