RFL chief executive Neil Tunnicliffe (BBC Radio 5 Live)

Rugby League officials were left stunned by the bombshell announcement from the South African Rugby League (SARL) that, due to lack of television coverage, the 10-nation tournament would not now take place.

The RFL had met Monday's deadline for naming their squad for the competition, which was scheduled for Johannesburg's Ellis Park from February 4-6.

In a statement, the SARL said: "Sky TV are unable to find a slot for the event in Australia, Great Britain or New Zealand at such short notice and this impacts significantly on the SARL's major sponsors.

"The organisers do not want the first year's tournament to be a financial disaster.

Defending the decision not to screen the competition, deputy managing director of Sky Sports, Andy Melvin, said: "We were not told about the event until December 21 and they were faxed back with our decision within 24 hours.

"It's an enormous logistical exercise and there was far too little notice to schedule it. It's normally done six months or a year in advance.

"Whatever the reasons for the collapse of the event, to blame it on Sky Sports seems a bit strange."

The shock announcement has ruined plans for the Rugby League International Federation (RLIF) to make the draw for the 2000 World Cup - to be staged in Britain - on the eve of the World Nines in Johannesburg on February 3.

And, despite assurances from the League, the move throws into doubt the Test match scheduled for Ellis Park in November between Great Britain and New Zealand and the planned development of the 13-a-side code by Louis Luyt, the former president of the South African Rugby Union.

RFL chief executive Neil Tunnicliffe said: "We are disappointed that the World Nines will not now be taking place this year but we understand the reasons for the postponement.

"It was always going to be difficult to organise a tournament in such a short time-frame and, when the commercial pieces did not fall into place, there was no alternative."