of the World Cup, and Bermuda will be playing a behind-the-scenes role on the eve of next month's final.

World Rugby Classic president John Kane will be hosting a cocktail party in Johannesburg on June 23, hoping to lure potential sponsors for an event which continues to grow in stature around the world.

Also invited will be travel agents, media and former international players.

As part of the Cup build-up, South Africans have already had the chance to view a programme on last year's Classic produced by Yorkshire Television.

Almost 150 people got a sneak preview of the hour-long programme at a reception last night at Hamilton's Oasis Club.

The telecast, to be shown locally on VSB next Wednesday at 8 p.m., has also been aired in England, Ireland and Wales with Kane describing it as "an absolutely marvellous production. They've done a tremendous job on it.'' The programme will also be shown in New Zealand, Australia, Canada and the United States.

More importantly, Kane said the telecast would have an impact on future Classics.

"Based on the number of people who have phoned from the UK to say they've seen it I think it will have a big impact,'' said Kane. "A lot of people have in their minds what the Classic is all about, but they've never been here.

They have the sort of thought that the Classic is just golden oldies.

"But when people see the programme they suddenly realise what the standard of the play is. So I think in that respect it's going to have a huge impact.'' The telecast is being beamed across the UK on Indepedent Television, giving the Classic a potential viewing audience of more than 35 million people.

Highlights will also be shown in the Gillette World of Sports, broadcast in 100 countries.

Besides rugby the focus is on the social side of the Classic and the Island's tourist attractions.

"It shows exactly the way we feel about the Classic,'' said Kane. "They got the players to say the same thing, but apart from that it also shows Bermuda in tremendous light, not that that's difficult. It showed what a beautiful place it is.'' Kane announced recently that all of last year's competitors -- New Zealand, South Africa, England, Barbarians, USA and Bermuda -- would return next fall, but Argentina are now expected to be a late addition.

"Everything is on target, the only thing that we're looking at at the moment is that Argentina have requested full representation. That letter's in now and they've also discussed sponsorship.

"It poses a nice little problem,'' he added. "Whether we go to eight teams or whether we have one section with three and one with four I don't know.

"The idea might be that we'll have to invite another country like Canada and make it a knockout situation.'' Springboks spring surprise -- Page 41 JOHN KANE -- hosting Johannesburg party