The formation of the Union of South Africa in 1910 was seen[by whom?] as the first step in bringing about the unification of the British-held territories in Southern Africa.[5] The British initially supported the territorial enlargement of the South African State. Neither the British nor the South Africans expected London's continuing imperial responsibility for Rhodesia, Nyasaland and the High Commission Territories to be the ultimate territorial arrangement: the South Africa Act 1909 made provisions for admitting Rhodesia as a fifth province of the Union in the future, and laid out the terms for the potential future transfer of the High Commission Territories.[5] Prime Minister Louis Botha agreed with Smuts that the South African annexation of the High Commission Territories was only a matter of time.[6]