The Cape Cobras are to become part of the world's first global and continental sports franchise, linking up with teams from four other leading cricket nations.

Western Cape Cricket Chairman Mohamed Ebrahim and Chief Executive Andre Odendaal flew to London on Sunday night to discuss an agreement which will bring together the Rajasthan Royals of India, the Hampshire Hawks of England, Trinidad and Tobago of the West Indies, the Cape Cobras and one of the top Australian teams, soon to be announced.

The deal will apply to Twenty20 cricket in the five countries.

Details of the planned super-franchise, Royals2020, were announced at a press conference at Lord's in London on Monday afternoon.

Odendaal said the partnership would have big benefits for the franchise, the players and the Cobras' supporters, provided all the details could be worked out.

"We have been talking about and developing this initiative for well over a year," said Odendaal. "If formal agreements can be reached in the next few weeks, this new 'family' will be opening up a whole new path in cricket.

"The partners will continue to operate as they do at present in domestic cricket but with the benefits of working together."