South Africa is heading for a clash with New Zealand and Australia over rugby's new experimental law variations.
The Springboks want next year's Super 14 and Tri-Nations competitions to be played under the same rules as the Lions tour next year.
At the moment the sanctions regulation, where most penalties are replaced by free-kicks, is used by SANZAR but not by the northern hemisphere countries.
South Africa say they will go to arbitration if no agreement is reached.
Unlike the SANZAR competitions, the global trial does not have the sanctions regulation, which states that a free kick is used for all offences apart from offside, not entering through the gate at the breakdown and foul play.
Australia and New Zealand both say the sanctions regulation makes rugby a better product for spectators.
But with the northern hemisphere unions using the global trial, the Springboks want the situation sorted out in time for next summer's British and Irish Lions tour.
The matter will be discussed at the SANZAR executive committee meeting in Sydney next month.