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

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.

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.

AUSTRALASIAN GROUP

HURRICANES

HIGHLANDERS

CRUSADERS

CHIEFS

BLUES

REBELS

REDS

WARATAHS

FORCE

BRUMBIES

NEW ZEALAND CONFERENCE

AUSTRALIA CONFERENCE

TBA TEAM

SOUTH AFRICAN GROUP

ARGENTINIAN TEAM

RSA TEAMRSA TEAM

RSA TEAMRSA TEAM

RSA TEAMRSA TEAM

AFRICA 02 CONFERENCE

AFRICA 01 CONFERENCE

BULLS CHEETAHS

LIONS SHARKS

KINGS

STORMERS

South African Conference composition still to be determined with team participation subject to final approval by the SARU General Council.

05MATCHES AGAINST

ANOTHER CONFERENCE, FROM THE AUSTRALASIAN

GROUP

04MATCHES AGAINST

ANOTHER CONFERENCE, FROM THE SOUTH AFRICAN

GROUP

06MATCHES WITHIN

YOUR OWN CONFERENCE

02BYES

17ROUNDS IN TOTAL

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)

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)

These seedings ensure every Conference is represented in the Super Rugby Finals Series.

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

01 01

02 02

04 04

05

03 03

01 01

02 02

04 04

05

03 03

TEAM TEAM

TEAM TEAM

TEAM TEAM

TEAM

TEAM TEAM

TEAM TEAM

TEAM TEAM

TEAM TEAM

TEAM

TEAM TEAM

TEAM TEAM

TEAM TEAM

TEAM

TEAM TEAM

TEAM TEAM

TEAMTEAM

TEAM

TEAM TEAM

AFRICA 01 CONFERENCE

AUSTRALIA CONFERENCE

AFRICA 02 CONFERENCE

SEED 01

SEED 03

SEED 02

SEED 04

CONFERENCE WINNERS

NEW ZEALAND CONFERENCE

SOUT

H AF

RICA

N W

ILDCA

RD R

ANKI

NGS

AUSTRALASIAN WILDCARD RANKINGS

SEED 05

SEED 07

SEED 06

SEED 08

FINALSWILDCARDS

SUPER RUGBY THE FINALS SERIES

HIGHER SEEDED WINNER

LOWER SEEDED WINNER

VS

WINNERS ADVANCE

WINNERS ADVANCE

CHAMPION

HOM

E

SEED 01

SEED 08VS

HOM

EAW

AY

HIGHEST SEEDED WINNER

LOWEST SEEDED WINNER

VS

HOM

EAW

AY

AWAY

2ND HIGHEST SEEDED WINNER

2ND LOWEST SEEDED WINNER

VS

HOM

EAW

AY

SEED 02

SEED 07VS

HOM

EAW

AY

SEED 03

SEED 06VS

HOM

EAW

AY

SEED 04

SEED 05VS

HOM

EAW

AY

SUPER RUGBY FINAL

SEMI FINALS

QUARTER FINALS

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