The Western Province Rugby Union and the City of Cape Town have enter into "formal talks" about the possibility of the WPRFU moving base from Newlands to the city's new stadium in Greenpoint.

In a joint media briefing on Thursday Patricia de Lille, the Mayor of Cape Town, and WPRFU President Tobie Titus revealed that they have started the "process" that could eventually lead to WP and the Stormers leaving the iconic Newlands stadium and using the Cape Town Stadium as a permanent base.

However, both emphasised that it will be "years" before the entire process is completed.

"Both the City of Cape Town and the WPRFU have established technical teams that will explore ways forward," the Mayor said.

She added that the previous stand-off between the two organisations now belongs in the past.

"Let bygones be bygones," De Lille told the media gathering at the Newlands stadium.

"It [these exploratory talks] captures the possible way we want to go," Titus said, adding that it will take time.

"It is going to be years," he said, when asked what time frame can be pout on the process.

"There will be many issues on the table," he added.

The WPRFU boss, Titus, reiterated that ultimately it will be the union's decision whether they want to move and when.

"That decision [to move or not to move to the Cape Town Stadium] was recently reconfirmed by 92 clubs..

"They [the clubs] reaffirmed that for the time being this union will stay at Newlands."

He said that doesn't mean in a few years, at the end of the process, the clubs will not reconsider that decision.

More details to follow...

By Jan de Koning