In a world of uncertainty I've discovered a sure thing. My analysis of the siege facing South Africa in the form of the ''Triple A Attack'' (Argentina, Australia and All Blacks) within this year's Tri-Nations tournament has led me to an unequivocal certainty. It's the grand prize of rugby union - and I call it ''The Grand''.

The Grand is a rugby union bet, a hypothetical bet, and I'm so confident it will stand for eternity that I'm willing to put a billion dollars (which I also hypothetically have lying around here someplace) on it.

Better still, I recall an internet forum called ''Longbets'' where people around the globe bet on the future. I'm going to register The Grand on there as a sure thing within the world of rugby union.

Explaining the bet is simple. It's just like the challenge facing the Springboks within the Tri-Nations, that is playing a run of games against the best. Like the prospect facing the Boks, the timing is all important and so are the competitiors.

Saturday after Saturday, for one calender month a challenger choosing to participate in The Grand must face, in random order, Argentina, Australia, the All Blacks and the Springboks.

One month, four games, pretty simple!

So I say forget the Six Nations or the Tri-Nations - and even the Rugby World Cup - The Grand is the ultimate test! Obviously it's meant mainly as a challenge to Northern Hemisphere teams but I think it's something Six Nations teams can mull over.

The Northerns have the British Lions - maybe they would be interested in the challenge. Wouldn't it be great if Bill Gates or Warren Buffet really put a billion quid purse on it? That's what I call rugby!

So step up Italy, Wales, England, Scotland, Ireland and France, your ticket to the big league is now called The Grand! Four Saturdays, four games, nice and easy? To make it a even easier, I don't expect this to be a roadtrip, so you can even have home advantage. Well, you've got to give a dog a bone...