South Africa has been confirmed as a participant for the 1994 World Rugby Classic, joining defending champions Barbarians, finalists New Zealand, England, United States and Bermuda.

Australian players, caught red-handed performing lewd antics at the infamous Number One Shed party, have been officially banned by Classic president John Kane for one year.

The Aussies' exuberant stage display created an uproar when the players dropped their pants, after Classic organisers had guaranteed there would be no bawdy behaviour.

"They've accepted (the ban),'' Kane said yesterday of the Australians.

"But at the same time they wanted confirmation that they'll be invited in 1995 and they will be.'' Kane is hoping the suspension will once again open the doors for them to use Number One Shed for the annual party.

"The city told us it wasn't available, but we're hoping that since the Australians won't be coming they'll change their minds. We'll have to wait and see.'' The South Africans, absent from international rugby since the early 1980s, are an unknown quantity, but Kane said many of their players will want to do well against the All Blacks, their arch-rivals.

"We've been waiting for the right time to have them here,'' said Kane. "I think when you organise something like this when you add a team like South Africa it brings the event the significance it should have. It's going to be good for the Classic.'' The last time South Africa played New Zealand in a Test was in 1981 which the Kiwis won 25-22. Many of the Classic All Blacks played in that game.

Expected to play in Bermuda is centre Morney duPlessis, capped 22 times for South Africa.

New Zealand is also planning to beef up their team, having lost the title they had held for four consecutive years. The Barbarians stunned the All Blacks 10-5 in one of the best finals ever.

The Barbarians will also be strengthened with the addition of former internationals from Ireland, Scotland and Wales in order to prove that last year's win was no fluke.

England, surprise 29-18 losers of their opening game to the Barbarians, will be eager to avoid a similar fate and are also working to strenthen their team.

United States, last year's Cinderella team whose improbable dream was stifled in the third-place showdown against England, will be adding players from Canada and Argentina this year.

Kane also announced that Yorkshire Television will be covering the Classic via Sky Television, which boasts a worldwide audience of 75 million throughout Europe.

Interest should be at an all-time high considering the tournament will be a prelude to the World Cup, which takes place in South Africa in 1995.

"Obviously people will want to be here to look at South Africa,'' said Kane.

This year's Classic takes place from November 6 to 13.