But a fourth international, which would have made the trip a Grand Slam tour, is still on the cards.

Afrikaans Sunday newspaper Sondag reported that the management committee of SA Rugby discussed the possibility of the Test going ahead last week at its meeting in Cape Town, and that alternative venues were put forward, including an option for the match to be played in Spain.

The game would have been seen as an opportunity to play in a non-traditional venue, as New Zealand and Australia will do in their Bledisloe Cup game in Hong Kong on November 1.

"A lot of alternative venues have been put forward and have been discussed," SA Rugby's director of National Teams Andy Marinos told Sondag.

"The only thing we can confirm at the moment is that it will not take place in Dubai."

Marinos added the match would have to be confirmed by the end of the month to give time to arrange logistics and receive IRB approval.