2016 THE EVOLUTION OF SUPER RUGBY

2016
THE EVOLUTION
OF SUPER RUGBY
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.
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 TEAM
RSA TEAM
BRUMBIES
BLUES
RSA TEAM
RSA TEAM
FORCE
CHIEFS
RSA TEAM
RSA TEAM
REBELS
CRUSADERS
ARGENTINIAN TEAM
TBA TEAM
REDS
HIGHLANDERS
WARATAHS
HURRICANES
CONFERENCE
CONFERENCE
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
CONFERENCE
CONFERENCE
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 CONFERENCE
04
17
05
MATCHES AGAINST
ANOTHER CONFERENCE,
FROM THE AUSTRALASIAN
GROUP
MATCHES AGAINST
ANOTHER CONFERENCE,
FROM THE SOUTH AFRICAN
GROUP
ROUNDS
IN TOTAL
02
BYES
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
01 TEAM
01 TEAM
CONFERENCE
WINNERS
01 TEAM
01 TEAM
02 TEAM
02 TEAM
SEED 01
02 TEAM
02 TEAM
03 TEAM
03 TEAM
03 TEAM
03 TEAM
04 TEAM
04 TEAM
04 TEAM
04 TEAM
05 TEAM
05 TEAM
CONFERENCE
CONFERENCE
CONFERENCE
SEED 02
SEED 03
CONFERENCE
TEAM
TEAM
FINALS
WILDCARDS
TEAM
SEED 05
TEAM
SEED 06
TEAM
TEAM
SEED 07
SEED 08
TEAM
TEAM
TEAM
TEAM
TEAM
TEAM
TEAM
TEAM
AUSTRALASIAN WILDCARD RANKINGS
SOUTH AFRICAN WILDCARD RANKINGS
SEED 04
SUPER RUGBY THE FINALS SERIES
SEED 01
SEMI
FINALS
HOME
SEED 02
VS
AWAY
SEED 07
HOME
SEED 03
SEED 04
SEED 05
AWAY
AWAY
SEED 06
HOME
VS
VS
SUPER RUGBY
FINAL
HIGHEST SEEDED WINNER
VS
LOWEST SEEDED WINNER
HOME
SEED 08
AWAY
HOME
AWAY
HOME
AWAY
VS
AWAY
HOME
QUARTER
FINALS
2ND HIGHEST SEEDED WINNER
VS
2ND LOWEST SEEDED WINNER
WINNERS
ADVANCE
WINNERS
ADVANCE
HIGHER SEEDED WINNER
VS
LOWER SEEDED WINNER
CHAMPION
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