Player of the week is Lions Flanker Jaco Kriel who made more clean breaks and beat more defenders than any other forward in Round 5 against the Kings in Port Elizabeth.
Player of the week is Hurricanes No.8 Ardie Savea who was at his destructive, ball carrying best in his sides comprehensive 41-15 victory over the Highlanders in Wellington.
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.
The defending champion Hurricanes put on a master class at Prince Chichibu Stadium in Tokyo. The Sunwolves could not cope with the precision, pace and physicality of the visitors who scored 13 tries to win 83-17.
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.
