About the Competition

The Investec Super 14 Rugby competition consists of five South African teams, five from New Zealand, and four from Australia (Brumbies, the Waratahs, the Force, and the Reds). Bonus points are given to any team scoring four tries or more, putting the emphasis on expansive, attacking rugby.

Super 12 commenced in rugby first year of professionalism in 1996, with Australia, New Zealand and South Africa forming SANZAR (South African, New Zealand and Australian Rugby) to administer an annual provincial 12 team competition and Tri-Nations test series between the three countries.

Impetus for forming a Tri Nations alliance started in Australia and New Zealand, following the establishment of Super League (Rugby League) and the huge player salaries on offer.

Worried that Rugby Union players would be tempted to switch codes and that Rugby Union would suffer as a consequence, the unions of the three countries signed a multi million-dollar deal with Rupert Mordoch's News Corporation.

This gave News Corp exclusive television rights to the competition for ten years. The Crusaders (Canterbury, NZ) are the most successful Super Rugby team, winning five times throughout the ten year competition.

The Brumbies are Australia’s most successful Super Rugby team, playing in four Super Rugby Finals (1997, 2000, 2001 & 2004), winning the championship in 2001 and 2004.

The Waratahs are the only other Australian province to reach the Final, but were beaten in the 2005 decider by the Crusaders. The Bulls became the first South African side to win a Super rugby title when they defeated the Sharks 20-19 in Durban in 2007.

Super 12 Winners: