Only four times in Super Rugby history has the team with the best defensive record in the regular season lifted the trophy but effective defence remains a cornerstone of a tilt towards championship success.
Player of the week is Lions scum-half Ross Cronje who was dynamic against the Waratahs in Johannesburg helping his side beat the visitors 55-36 in a high scoring match.
The 18-team Super Rugby tournament kicked off for the second time after a bustling 2016 campaign and there were points galore amidst a swath of entertaining rugby during the opening round.
The Sunwolves have brought a unique and colourful Asian influence to Super Rugby and allied to Japan’s win over South Africa at the 2015 Rugby World Cup, rugby in Asia is experiencing unprecedented growth on and off the field.
There have been six different winners of the trophy across the last seven seasons but New Zealand teams have won 14 of the 21 Super Rugby championships. Will this change in 2017?
SANZAAR has announced the referee team that will officiate the 2017 Super Rugby season. The 19-strong team went through its paces at a training camp in Sydney recently.
SANZAAR has confirmed the fixture list for the 2017 Super Rugby tournament. Amendments have been made to several kick-off times and the venues for matches previously 'to be announced' have now also been confirmed.
The focus in now well and truly on the start of the 2017 Super Rugby season and the teams are in full training and preparing to play warm-up matches in the coming weeks.
Only eight teams remain as Super Rugby moves into the post-season and there’s a healthy mix of experienced and fresh faces among those teams that have made it through the regular season on top.
