2016 THE EVOLUTION OF SUPER RUGBY

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Posy Kennedy
6 years ago
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1 2016 THE EVOLUTION OF SUPER RUGBY

2 In 2011, the foundations were put in place for the continued growth and evolution of Super Rugby. A new team was welcomed to the competition, along with an all-new conference structure to deliver the best of local and international rivalries, pitting the stars of world rugby against each other on a weekly basis. In 2016, this evolution continues with three new sides introduced to an expanded four-conference, two-group model that boosts the rivalry and passion of previous seasons, driving Super Rugby into a rousing new era. Introducing a bold new future for Super Rugby. The Kings from South Africa return to the fray, along with an all-new Argentinian team and one other international side, taking Super Rugby to new places, new markets and new crowds. With a broader pool of playing talent, more venues, extra match-ups and bigger thrills, 2016 is the next exciting step in the ongoing evolution of the best international provincial rugby competition in the world.

3 SUPER RUGBY AN EVOLVED STRUCTURE Super Rugby is set to grow to four Conferences, arranged into two Groups. The existing 15 teams will be joined by the Kings from South Africa, a new team from Argentina and a third new side that will be determined by a go to market process. The result of this expansion sees traditional rivalries continue and new ones forged, while delivering the passion and excitement of Super Rugby to more cities, countries and fans than ever before. SOUTH AFRICAN GROUP AUSTRALASIAN GROUP AFRICA 01 AFRICA 02 AUSTRALIA RSA RSA BRUMBIES BLUES RSA RSA FORCE CHIEFS RSA RSA REBELS CRUSADERS ARGENTINIAN TBA REDS HIGHLANDERS WARATAHS HURRICANES South African Conference composition still to be determined with team participation subject to final approval by the SARU General Council. BULLS CHEETAHS KINGS LIONS SHARKS STORMERS NEW ZEALAND THE REGULAR SEASON Each team plays a balance of home and away games (8 home, 7 away, or vice versa). Fans will get to see more games under the new structure while teams will play one fewer and have two byes across a 17-week season. 06 MATCHES WITHIN YOUR OWN MATCHES AGAINST ANOTHER, FROM THE AUSTRALASIAN GROUP MATCHES AGAINST ANOTHER, FROM THE SOUTH AFRICAN GROUP ROUNDS IN TOTAL 02 BYES

4 SUPER RUGBY THE FINALS SERIES Conference standings and competition points at the end of the Regular Season will be used to determine seedings, with the top eight seeds to play off against each other in the Super Rugby Finals Series. Seeds 1-4 are the four Conference winners (ranked in order of competition points) These seedings ensure every Conference is represented in the Super Rugby Finals Series. Seeds 5-8 are the Wildcards the next best team from the South African Group and the next three best teams from the Australasian Group (again, in order of competition points) Home finals reward consistent performance throughout the Regular Season, while the sudden-death nature of the Finals Series makes matches meaningful for every team and exciting for every fan. SOUTH AFRICAN GROUP AUSTRALASIAN GROUP AFRICA 01 AFRICA 02 AUSTRALIA NEW ZEALAND WINNERS SEED SEED 02 SEED 03 FINALS WILDCARDS SEED 05 SEED 06 SEED 07 SEED 08 AUSTRALASIAN WILDCARD RANKINGS SOUTH AFRICAN WILDCARD RANKINGS SEED 04

5 SUPER RUGBY THE FINALS SERIES QUARTER FINALS SEED 01 SEED 08 SEED 02 SEED 07 SEED 03 SEED 06 SEMI FINALS HIGHEST SEEDED WINNER LOWEST SEEDED WINNER 2ND HIGHEST SEEDED WINNER 2ND LOWEST SEEDED WINNER HOME AWAY SUPER RUGBY FINAL HIGHER SEEDED WINNER LOWER SEEDED WINNER CHAMPION HOME AWAY SEED 04 SEED 05 WINNERS ADVANCE WINNERS ADVANCE

6 SANZARRUGBY.COM/SUPERRUGBY superrugby

BLUE BULLS RUGBY PRELIMINARY FIXTURES

BLUE BULLS RUGBY PRELIMINARY FIXTURES 2016 JAN FEB 6 Sat Vodacom Super Rugby warm-up Vodacom Bulls vs Cheetahs Harare tbc 12 Fri Passion Event Loftus Versfeld tbc 13 Sat Vodacom Super Rugby warm-up Vodacom Bulls vs Lions Polokwane 17:00 Club