South Africa coach Peter de Villiers is keen to see his side tested before their three Test series with the British & Irish Lions © Getty Images

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Teams: New Zealand | New Zealand Maori | South Africa

South Africa are considering a potential clash with New Zealand Maori in Soweto as part of their preparations for the visit by the British & Irish Lions later this year.

The South African Rugby Union have already confirmed a warm-up match against Namibia but Springboks coach Peter de Villiers is keen to assess his squad further ahead of their three Test series with the elite tourists.

"We are playing them (Namibia) on May 29," De Villiers told the Rapport newspaper. "The game in Soweto is, however, subject to certain conditions and has not been finalised, but I hope it will happen. It will help me a great deal for my preparation. We can't take on the Lions without warm-up games."

SA Rugby have confirmed that they are in negotiation with the New Zealand Rugby Union regarding a proposed fixture but there remain, "several obstacles to overcome" including a long-established President's Council resolution forbidding the appearance of SARU teams against opponents selected along racial lines.

"We can confirm that the New Zealand Rugby Union has inquired if there was an opportunity for the Maori team to appear in South Africa," said a statement. "SA Rugby is examining the possibility but no decision has been taken on whether the offer will be accepted and there are several obstacles to overcome should we wish to pursue the offer.

"They include the financial viability of the project, logistics around venues and player availability and the fundamental stumbling block of a long-established President's Council resolution forbidding the appearance of SARU teams against opponents selected along racial lines. A final decision is not expected until the end of March."

The Maori side were controversially omitted from the 2009 season when the New Zealand Rugby Union decided to replace them in the IRB Pacific Nations Cup with the Junior All Blacks. But it appears that if the funds can be found and approval granted by the NZRU the Maori side could be get the go-ahead for the historic clash.

New Zealand Rugby Union general manager Neil Sorensen told The Press newspaper earlier this week that both parties were discussing the merits of staging the match in the sprawling Johannesburg township in June.

"One idea we have been talking to the South Africans about is to see if they could play the Springboks and there was some speculation of it being played in Soweto. I'm in discussions with Andy Marinos, who is the acting managing director of Sarfu, and we are trying to make it happen.

"It's still very early and we have hope to have something firmed up by the end of the month."