Saturday 13 October 2012

Bulls surge into semis

13 Oct 2012 21:15:50

The Vodacom Blue Bulls produced a scintillating display of controlled rugby as they powered to a 50-29 victory over the MTN Golden Lions at Coca-Cola Park to book their place in the Absa Currie Cup semifinals.
The win means the Blue Bulls leapfrog Griquas and Cheetahs to take the fourth spot, and condemn the Cheetahs to play a promotion-relegation game against the EP Kings on Friday night in Bloemfontein.
The Blue Bulls will now head to Durban on Saturday to face the Sharks, while the Lions – who finished second despite the loss – will host Western Province in Johannesburg in the other semifinal.
But on a night where winning was the only option, the Blue Bulls had to overcome an early setback and went down 13-0 before clawing their way back into the game and eventually settled it with more composed play and by taking the chances they created in the second half.
It was a remarkable difference that the Boks made to the Bulls, with Jacques Potgieter, Flip van der Merwe, Morne Steyn and Zane Kirchner all looking top class in the game.
Yet it didn’t start off that well as the Bulls struggled in the opening exchanges, and had to watch as they were under pressure from the word go with little ball to speak of in the opening 20 minutes.
In that time, Butch James slotted two penalties, and a brilliant bit of counter-attacking led to Michael Rhodes’s try, giving the Lions an early 13-3 lead.
But then Steyn started to take control of the game, and on the back of a pack that was slowly gaining the ascendancy, he clawed the Bulls back into the game.
First a stunning drop goal reminded the crowd that Steyn had refound his confidence, and even though the Lions answered with a penalty, Steyn drilled two more of his own back to bring the Bulls within four points.
Then, as halftime started approaching, Jacques Potgieter burst through a lovely gap and sprinted 50 metres, being stopped just short of the tryline but not before unloading to Bjorn Basson to crash over for the try and take the lead.
Another Steyn penalty made it 22-16 at the break, but that lead was cut almost immediately as Butch James slotted two penalties early in the second half to bring the scores level.
ON A KNIFE EDGE
With the Bulls needing the win to secure their semifinal place, the match was on a knife edge, and it was the Lions who blinked first when Kirchner tapped back an up and under into the hands of Arno Botha, who surged forward before offloading to Jano Vermaak for the try.
While there was some speculation of a forward pass, the TMO decided it was not and gave the try, giving the Bulls the lead.
The Lions fought back, and it wasn’t long before Anthony Volminck spotted a gap behind the ruck and burst through to level the scores again. Little did he know it was the last time the Lions would score on the night.
As the game reached the final quarter, the Bulls' experience and pedigree showed through, and they simply moved away from their opposition, and while a first lineout drive was denied, the second proved a lot more deadly as Botha claimed the score.
Then the wheels really came off for the Lions, as first a quick throw went horribly wrong and captain Dewald Potgieter pounced to grab the loose ball and score, and then in their desperation to run, Butch James slapped back a ball into no-man’s land, with Akona Ndungane driving the final nail into the coffin.
The Bulls may have a tough task in heading to Durban, but given the fight they’ve shown in the last month to get to the semis, they will back themselves all the way.
SCORERS
MTN GOLDEN LIONS – tries: Michael Rhodes, Anthony Volminck. Conversions: Butch James (2). Penalties: James (5).
VODACOM BLUE BULLS – Tries: Bjorn Basson, Jano Vermaak, Arno Botha, Dewald Potgieter, Akona Ndungane. Conversions: Morne Steyn (4), Louis Fouche (1). Penalties: Steyn (4). Drop goal: Steyn.

Pat Lambie Propels The Natal Sharks to top spot.

Lambie propels Sharks to top spot

12 Oct 2012 21:06:01

The Sharks started the final weekend of the league stage of Absa Currie Cup rugby clinching top spot on the log with a convincing 42-3 victory over Griquas at Mr Price Kings Park on Friday night.
The Durbanites just needed to win to make sure of prime position on the log going into the playoff phase, and once they had taken a 10-0 lead after 14 minutes there was seldom any doubt that they would achieve their objective. Keegan Daniel’s men will now wait until Saturday’s round of matches before finding out who their semifinal opponents will be in Durban next weekend.
The Sharks didn’t need to get the four-try bonus point but they got it anyway, with replacement flanker Lubabalo Mtembu dotting down in the left corner as Griquas ran out of defenders as the Sharks worked the ball left with 10 minutes to go in a one-sided game.
While the winners never really engaged top gear, they were always significantly better than a well beaten Griquas side that now has to wait to find out if they will advance to the semifinals. They will require Western Province to beat the Cheetahs and the Lions to beat the Bulls for that to be the case, but on Friday night they made it hard for themselves by lacking the intensity that they have displayed in their home games in Kimberley this season and against the Lions last week.
Griquas actually shaded the possession battle early on but slipped too many tackles, as many as five in the first 14 minutes, and that played a role in the Sharks dominating territory. Patrick Lambie, playing his first full game at flyhalf for quite a while, did everything and perhaps even a little more than could have been expected of him in his first game back after warming the Springbok bench.
He did miss a first-half penalty but he slotted most of his kicks, including the angled conversion from the touchline of the Mtembu try. His distribution was good, his tactical kicking was excellent and while Griquas were well below test level, he did at least show that he has remembered the essentials of flyhalf play.
It was his little kick through after taking the ball flat following a crash up by JP Pietersen that set up the second try in the 27th minute, with fullback Louis Ludik coming through to grab the ball and score. Lambie missed that conversion, but it meant the Sharks led 15-3 following a ninth-minute try scored by the impressive young scrumhalf Cobus Reinach, who featured twice in the movement as he drew in Odwa Ndungane before taking the return pass from the wing.
There was also a 14th minute penalty from Lambie, and although skipper Daniel spent the last 10 minutes of the half off the field after being yellow carded, a dangerous tackle by Griquas wing Jannie Boshoff saw the player numbers redressed. Lambie missed the penalty that resulted from the Boshoff tackle, but Lwazi Mvovo, on for Ndungane when he was injured in helping set up the first try, scored the third try two minutes from the break to propel his team into a 22-3 halftime lead.
While Sharks coach John Plumtree was resting some of his top players, he should be pleased with the form of some of the players who did play. Daniel continues to impress with every game, as does Jean Deysel, while apart from Lambie and Reinach the other impressive back was Pietersen, who is back in the mix after a fair injury layoff.
Lambie was the deserved recipient of the man of the match award and seemed to become more assured the longer the game lasted, and he was in the thick of things as the Sharks closed out the game in the second half.
Lambie kicked penalties in the 44th minute and the 50th before the Mtembu try and then a turn-over effort completed by replacement scrumhalf Charl McLeod ensured that there was plenty of light between the teams on the score that shone on the Kings Park scoreboard at the final hooter.
SCORES
SHARKS 42 – Tries: Cobus Reinach, Louis Ludik, Lwazi Mvovo, Lubabalo Mtembu and Charl McLeod; Conversions: Patrick Lambie 4; Penalties: Patrick Lambie 3.
GRIQUAS 3 – Penalty: Francois Brummer.

WP sends the Free State Cheetahs into the relegation zone

WP send Cheetahs into relegation zone

13 Oct 2012 19:07:08

The phrase “being sent packing” was given new meaning by DHL Western Province at Newlands on Saturday night as they sent the Toyota Free State Cheetahs into the zone where the perils of promotion become a reality.
WP, with seven Springboks back, were always going to be favoured to win, and the result was never in doubt as they romped home 36-15 in front of a crowd that was bigger than has been average for Currie Cup rugby this season but was by no means the resounding vote for full-strength rugby that might have been anticipated.
As a result of this five try to two romp, WP ended third on the Currie Cup log and in so doing booked themselves a flight to Johannesburg for next week’s semifinal against the Lions.
That was where they came unstuck at the same stage last year, but the difference between then and now was that the returning Boks 12 months ago were a bit stunned by their World Cup exit.
They don’t have quite the same psychological baggage to carry around with them now, and they look more business-like and determined. The Currie Cup definitely isn’t what it used to be, but a trophy would at least get the monkey off the WP backs.
There were times in the first half that the hosts weren’t direct enough and that was the reason why they looked like they were making heavy weather of the task at that stage.
Not that they were ever threatened in the match, with flyhalf Demetri Catrakilis putting them into a 3-0 lead that they would never relinquish with a third-minute penalty, before returning captain Jean de Villiers scored a highly popular try in the corner in the ninth to make it 8-0.
The try was the product of the sort of play that would have had the Newlands patrons falling off their seats in shock had it happened during Super Rugby.
MULTI-PHASE ATTACK
It was the product of a sustained and prolonged multi-phase attack that swept this way and that across the field, but was given its impetus by a clever kick over the advancing Cheetahs defenders from the right touchline that was picked up by scrumhalf Nic Groom.
The move had been on the go for a while already, and it was to go through several more phases before finally De Villiers went in, but it was a score that was on the cards the moment Groom found himself in space.
The Cheetahs did have their moments, and perhaps WP were a bit guilty of falling into the trap of trying to play it their way.
Nico Scheepers missed a penalty in the first quarter before landing one in the 20th minute, and there was one excellent attacking movement in which Sias Ebersohn chipped over the WP backs to set up Hennie Danniller, with the score only being prevented by an excellent try-saving tackle from behind by that busy-as-a-bee Springbok, Bryan Habana.
It was still a close game as the half hour mark neared, but then WP surprised the Cheetahs by taking a quick tap from a penalty awarded almost in front of the posts, and big Andries Bekker went over for a try that the TMO awarded after lengthy deliberation.
And three minutes before the break WP pretty much wrapped up their third-place finish when, from an attacking lineout, a driving maul deposited Deon Fourie over the line.
Fourie was of course the captain before De Villiers returned and he is enjoying a great season, so it was fitting that he should complete a great field day for himself by breaking a few tackles up the middle before going in for the fourth try.
It was the bonus-point score, and although it was an unnecessary one because WP just needed to win, it will nonetheless serve as a confidence booster.
The Boks did make their mark, and none more so than the second row, with Eben Etzebeth winning the official man of the match award. The big man certainly does make a massive difference when he is present.
But then so does Duane Vermeulen, and as WP go into the play-offs, perhaps it should be remembered that the No 8's physical presence hasn’t been there when WP and the Stormers have failed at the knock-out hurdle over the past 16 months.
The former Free Stater celebrated his return to the Cape side with the fifth try, going over near the posts with around a quarter of the match left to give his team a 36-3 lead.
At that stage a score beyond the 50 mark looked distinctly possible but the Cheetahs came back well in the last quarter to score consolation tries through Francois Uys and Philip Snyman that gave the scoreboard some respectability.
But with the Lions/Bulls match in Johannesburg still to come, the Bloemfontein team was hovering perilously close to the relegation zone as the league part of their Currie Cup season ended.
SCORERS
DHL WESTERN PROVINCE – Tries: Jean de Villiers, Andries Bekker, Deon Fourie (2), Duane Vermeulen; Conversions: Demetri Catrakilis (4); Penalty: Catrakilis.
TOYOTA FREE STATE CHEETAHS – Tries: Francois Uys, Philip Snyman; Conversion: Sias Ebersohn; Penalty: Nico Scheepe

Saturday 29 September 2012

A massive win for the Natal Sharks.

Massive Win for Sharks | News | SharksRugby

28 September 2012 (21:04) - The Sharks and Blue Bulls played out to a nail-biting Absa Currie Cup match at Mr Price KINGS PARK on Friday evening, won 13-12 by The Sharks but never guaranteed until the final whistle.Games between The Sharks and Bulls are never short of excitement and tension and this was no different, although it was more the tension than the excitement that really carried the game from first whistle to agonising last.
Agonising because there was a referral to the TMO before the final whistle where The Sharks risked losing the game if there was any evidence of foul play, but fortunately there was none and a massive win, given the context of the game, was The Sharks, which sends them to the top of the log for the time being.
With the treacherous conditions underfoot and the rain coming and going during the match, it was never going to be a pretty game, but more along the lines of trench warfare, with close-quarter attack and forward-dominated play, especially from the visitors who used their trademark driving and pick and go to good, but unrewarding effect.
The Sharks certainly looked to run the ball when the opportunities presented themselves and had some good early chances which they could not convert. Such was the nature of the game that this was to be a recurring theme throughout.
With driving mauls, massive hits and plenty of kicking, the game was never going to be the type of open running rugby we expect on a dry pitch and the tactics suited the conditions and the two teams’ individual strengths.
There was very little in the game to separate the two teams, although true to form, it would be a drop-goal from the home side that would get the scoreboard going. Few opportunities presented themselves before The Sharks stole a lineout, sent the ball upfield and Paul Jordaan managed to rip the ball from the defender and sprint 40m untouched to score the only try of the half.
A further two penalties from the boot of Louis Fouchè took his team into the lead as they managed to go into the half-time break 9-5 ahead with the rain continuing to fall heavily.
The Sharks doubled their score when Cobus Reinach showed a clean pair of heels to the defences and despite being caught, he managed to offload to a speeding Keegan Daniel who did the hand-off thing to perfection before carrying a player over the tryline with him.
The third quarter belonged to The Sharks – at least on the scoreboard – as Meyer Bosman also kicked a penalty to give his team a marginal lead in a period where high balls, mostly by the Bulls, dominated proceedings as they searched for the mistakes which The Sharks simply wouldn’t make, Louis Ludik and Odwa Ndungane in particular proving heroically safe for their side.
The aerial ping-pong didn’t add much in the way of spectator excitement, but it was a game where winning ugly was clearly the route to victory where it would be punishable mistakes that would make the difference between winning and losing.
This was a game that went down to the wire, a point between the teams which meant either could score. But The Sharks held out under immense pressure, showing great character to cling on for the win.
Sharks captain Keegan Daniel said afterwards, “It was ding-dong, physical battle and we’re just happy to come away with a win. It came down to taking opportunities although we did let ourselves down with our discipline allowing them back into the game. We showed a lot of character there, hats off to the boys for managing to close that game out which ultimately you need to do when games are that close.”
Dewald Potgieter, the Blue Bulls captain said: “We played the game the right way, especially in these weather conditions, we created some opportunities but lost the ball at crucial times. Congratulations to The Sharks for closing out the game. Tactically we did quite a good job, hats off to The Sharks, they’re a quality team.”
Absa Man of the Match: Cobus Reinach
Scorers:
The Sharks: 13 (5)
Tries: Paul Jordaan, Keegan Daniel
Penalties: Meyer Bosman (1)
Blue Bulls: 12 (9)
Penalties: Louis Fouchè (3)
Drop-Goal: Louis Fouchè (1)

Monday 24 September 2012

Three way race for top spot in Currie cup.

Three-way race for top spot

24 Sep 2012 08:48:19

It was touted as a watershed weekend and that is exactly what the seventh round of the Currie Cup proved to be, with a firm line being demarcated between the teams chasing top spot and those who face the twin challenge of vying for the fourth semifinal place and trying to avoid relegation.
With the Blue Bulls winning against the Cheetahs in Pretoria and Griquas losing in Cape Town, there are three teams in the relegation zone -- the Cheetahs, who are currently in bottom place, one log point behind the Bulls, who are in turn two behind the fourth-placed team, Griquas.
So theoretically the Bulls even in this season where there has been so much talk of crisis can still go on to win the trophy. And Griquas, who have been regarded as the surprise package, could still find themselves relegated.
Although the test match between the Springboks and Australia will take centre stage, this coming weekend’s round of matches will also go a long way towards deciding which of the three teams that retain a realistic chance of finishing top will be favoured going into the last two rounds.
Western Province, currently four points behind the log-leading Lions, host the Lions at Newlands on Saturday and the Sharks are at home to the Bulls on Friday.
Adding interest to an intriguing weekend will be the impact that Springbok call-ups could have on the top teams, particularly the Lions, who are now going to be without Elton Jantjies, Jaco Taute and CJ van der Linde in addition to the players that were already missing. Jantjies was the man of the match in the excellent come-from-behind win they scored over the Sharks in Johannesburg this past weekend and he will be a big loss to the tournament front-runners.
With Griquas and the Cheetahs also due to meet this coming weekend, there is also going to be a lot of movement in the bottom half of the log. A Cheetahs win can lift them above Griquas, and if the Sharks beat the Bulls, the Bloemfontein team could find themselves going from last to fourth in the space of 80 minutes.
So while the quality of the domestic competition is sometimes questionable, there is certainly no lack of intrigue and interest as it heads into the last part of the league phase.

Friday 21 September 2012

Inspirational Natal Sharks Captain

Date of Birth: 05/03/1985
Place of Birth: Humansdorp
Position: Flank (loose forward)
Height: 1.88 m
Weight: 94 kg
High School: Dale College
Club: Jonsson College Rovers
Is fast becoming one of The Sharks favourite sons and was last year appointed campaign captain for the Currie Cup, missing just 65 of their 1200 minutes over the course of the tournament. An athletic, play-making loose-forward who consistently punches well above his weight, finally earning his deserved - but belated - Springbok colours. Named 2012 captain.

Super Rugby 2013 Draw released.

SANZAR reveal 2013 Super Rugby fixture list

The 2013 Super Rugby draw has been released

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Article Published: Friday 21 September 2012

SANZAR have announced the draw for the 2013 season of Super Rugby, which will kick off with the Rebels hosting the Force at AAMI Park on Friday, 15 February.
The Australian Conference teams will be the only teams playing in Round 1 of the Competition with four of the teams in action.
The same will occur in Round 17 (just before the Super Rugby season ‘breaks’ for the June inbounds), while Rounds 18 and 19 (after the break) will feature only New Zealand and South African Conference teams.
This has been necessitated by the 2013 British & Irish Lions tour to Australia, which will see their Test matches against the tourists played on different dates to the normal ‘June inbound’ schedules.
"The Lions tour to Australia presented some unique challenges in preparing the 2013 Super Rugby draw," SANZAR CEO Greg Peters said.
"We are very appreciative of cooperation we received from the National Unions and broadcasters in preparing this draw and working through the issues."
Peters said there was much excitement building despite being months out.
"Over the last two seasons we have seen two franchises – the Reds and the Chiefs –win the Super Rugby trophy for the first time," Peters said.
"The emphasis in early rounds is again on local derbies that have again proven to be the most watched and attended matches in 2012."
The defending champion Chiefs begin their campaign in Dunedin against the Highlanders on Friday, 22 February at Forsyth Barr Stadium, the same evening the Rebels host the Reds at AAMI Park.
The Bulls and the Stormers kick off the season for the South African Conference with a titanic match scheduled for Loftus Versfeld later that Friday evening.
Saturday, 27 April in Round Eleven will see a 2012 Super Rugby Final re-match again in Chiefs territory for last season’s runners up the Sharks.
The second round of the season, when the South African and New Zealand teams kick off their campaigns, sees a ‘Super Saturday’ early, with the Hurricanes (v Blues), Reds (v Waratahs), Cheetahs (v Sharks) and Kings (v Force) hosting in what will be four consecutive matches to complete the first full weekend of proceedings.
Joining Super Rugby for the first time, the Kings’ first match against a team from their own Conference will be when the Sharks arrive at Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium on Saturday, 9 March, and a week later the new boys will play their first Kiwi side in the Chiefs.
The Crusaders and the Force will have byes in the early stages, and will not play their first home matches in Christchurch and Perth respectively until Rounds Five and Six.
Also notable is that the Blues will play a Sunday match against the Bulls in Round Four, while the Waratahs will host consecutive Sunday fixtures in Round Six and Round Seven – with the Crusaders, Brumbies and Force other sides to play on the last day of the weekend throughout the season.
Peters said the draw would build on the successes of 2012.
"The 2012 Super Rugby season was the most watched season of Super Rugby ever, both in terms of those attending matches live and also viewing on television. The 2013 draw will hopefully see us grow those numbers again," he said.
The Super Rugby Finals Series starts on Friday, 19 July, with the Super Rugby Qualifiers scheduled for that weekend – while the Super Rugby Semi-Finals will take place on 26 / 27 July, with the Super Rugby Final to be played on Saturday, 3 August.
Round 1 (Australian teams only)
February 15 - Melbourne Rebels (AUS) v Western Force (AUS), Melbourne
Feb 16 - Brumbies (AUS) v Queensland Reds (AUS), Canberra
NSW Waratahs (AUS) - bye
Round 2
Feb 22 - Highlanders (NZL) v Chiefs (NZL) Venue TBC
Feb 22 - Melbourne Rebels (AUS) v Brumbies (AUS), Melbourne
Feb 22 - Bulls (RSA) v Stormers (RSA), Pretoria
Feb 23 - Hurricanes (NZL) v Blues (NZL) Venue TBC
Feb 23 - Queensland Reds (AUS) v Waratahs (AUS), Brisbane
Feb 23 - Cheetahs (RSA) v Sharks (RSA), Bloemfontein
Feb 23 - Southern Kings (RSA) v Western Force (AUS), Port Elizabeth
Crusaders (NZL) - bye
Round 3
March 1 - Blues v Crusaders, Venue TBC
March 1 - Reds v Hurricanes, Brisbane
March 2 - Chiefs v Cheetahs, Venue TBC
March 2 - Waratahs v Rebels, Sydney
March 2 - Bulls v Force, Pretoria
March 2 - Sharks v Stormers, Durban
Brumbies, Highlanders, Kings - byes
Round 4
March 8 - Hurricanes v Crusaders, Venue TBC
March 8 - Rebels v Reds, Melbourne
March 9 - Highlanders v Cheetahs, Venue TBC
March 9 - Brumbies v Waratahs, Canberra
March 9 - Stormers v Chiefs, Cape Town
March 9 - Kings v Sharks, Port Elizabeth
March 10 - Blues v Bulls, Venue TBC
Force - bye
Round 5
March 15 - Highlanders v Hurricanes, Venue TBC
March 15 - Waratahs v Cheetahs, Sydney
March 15 - Kings v Chiefs, Port Elizabeth
March 16 - Crusaders v Bulls, Christchurch
March 16 - Reds v Force, Brisbane
March 16 - Sharks v Brumbies, Durban
Blues, Rebels, Stormers - byes
Round 6
March 22 - Chiefs v Highlanders, Venue TBC
March 23 - Crusaders v Kings, Christchurch
March 23 - Reds v Bulls, Brisbane
March 23 - Force v Cheetahs, Perth
March 23 - Sharks v Rebels, Durban
March 23 - Stormers v Brumbies, Cape Town
March 24 - Waratahs v Blues, Sydney
Hurricanes - bye
Round 7 (Easter)
March 29 - Highlanders v Reds, Venue TBC
March 30 - Hurricanes v Kings, Venue TBC
March 30 - Chiefs v Blues, Venue TBC
March 30 - Brumbies v Bulls, Canberra
March 30 - Cheetahs v Rebels, Bloemfontein
March 30 - Stormers v Crusaders, Cape Town
March 31 - Waratahs v Force, Sydney
Sharks - bye
Round 8
April 5 - Blues v Highlanders, Venue TBC
April 5 - Brumbies v Kings, Canberra
April 5 - Sharks v Crusaders, Durban
April 6 - Hurricanes v Waratahs, Venue TBC
April 6 - Force v Rebels, Perth
April 6 - Cheetahs v Stormers, Bloemfontein
Bulls, Chiefs, Reds - byes
Round 9
April 12 - Highlanders v Brumbies, Venue TBC
April 13 - Chiefs v Reds, Venue TBC
April 13 - Blues v Hurricanes, Venue TBC
April 13 - Rebels v Kings, Melbourne
April 13 - Force v Crusaders, Perth
April 13 - Stormers v Sharks, Cape Town
April 13 - Bulls v Cheetahs, Pretoria
Waratahs - bye
Round 10
April 19 - Hurricanes v Force, Venue TBC
April 19 - Waratahs v Chiefs, Sydney
April 20 - Crusaders v Highlanders, Christchurch
April 20 - Reds v Brumbies, Brisbane
April 20 - Sharks v Cheetahs, Durban
April 20 - Kings v Bulls, Port Elizabeth
Blues, Rebels, Stormers - byes
Round 11
April 26 - Hurricanes v Stormers, Venue TBC
April 26 - Reds v Blues, Brisbane
April 27 - Chiefs v Sharks, Venue TBC
April 27 - Brumbies v Force, Canberra
April 27 - Bulls v Waratahs, Pretoria
April 27 - Cheetahs v Kings, Bloemfontein
April 28 - Crusaders v Rebels, Christchurch
Highlanders - bye
Round 12
May 3 - Blues v Stormers, Venue TBC
TBC - Rebels v Chiefs, Melbourne
May 4 - Highlanders v Sharks, Venue TBC
May 4 - Force v Reds, Perth
May 4 - Kings v Waratahs, Port Elizabeth
May 4 - Bulls v Hurricanes, Pretoria
May 5 - Brumbies v Crusaders, Canberra
Cheetahs - bye
Round 13
May 10 - Chiefs v Force, Venue TBC
May 10 - Reds v Sharks, Brisbane
May 10 - Cheetahs v Hurricanes, Bloemfontein
May 11 - Blues v Rebels, Venue TBC
May 11 - Waratahs v Stormers, Sydney
May 11 - Kings v Highlanders, Port Elizabeth
Brumbies, Bulls, Crusaders - byes
Round 14
May 17 - Hurricanes v Chiefs, Venue TBC
May 17 - Rebels v Stormers, Melbourne
May 17 - Force v Sharks, Perth
May 18 - Crusaders v Blues, Christchurch
May 18 - Waratahs v Brumbies, Sydney
May 18 - Bulls v Highlanders, Pretoria
May 18 - Cheetahs v Reds, Bloemfontein
Kings - bye
Round 15
May 24 - Chiefs v Crusaders, Venue TBC
May 24 - Rebels v Waratahs, Melbourne
May 25 - Blues v Brumbies, Venue TBC
May 25 - Force v Highlanders, Perth
May 25 - Kings v Cheetahs, Port Elizabeth
May 25 - Stormers v Reds, Cape Town
May 25 - Sharks v Bulls, Durban
Hurricanes - bye
Round 16
May 31 - Crusaders v Waratahs, Christchurch
May 31 - Brumbies v Hurricanes, Canberra
June 1 - Highlanders v Blues, Venue TBC
June 1 - Reds v Rebels, Brisbane
June 1 - Stormers v Kings, Cape Town
June 1 - Cheetahs v Bulls, Bloemfontein
Chiefs, Force, Sharks - byes
Round 17 (Australian teams only)
June 7 - Brumbies v Rebels, Canberra
June 9 - Force v Waratahs, Perth
Reds - bye
Round 18
(New Zealand/South African teams only)
June 28 - Chiefs v Hurricanes, Venue TBC
June 29 - Highlanders v Crusaders, Venue TBC
June 29 - Sharks v Blues, Durban
June 29 - Bulls v Kings, Pretoria
June 29 - Stormers v Cheetahs, Cape Town
Round 19
(New Zealand/South African teams only)
July 5 - Crusaders v Chiefs, Christchurch
July 6 - Hurricanes v Highlanders, Venue TBC
July 6 - Cheetahs v Blues, Bloemfontein
July 6 - Kings v Stormers, Port Elizabeth
July 6 - Bulls v Sharks, Pretoria
Round 20
July 12 - Crusaders v Hurricanes, Christchurch
July 12 - Rebels v Highlanders, Melbourne
July 13 - Blues v Chiefs, Venue TBC
July 13 - Waratahs v Reds, Sydney
July 13 - Force v Brumbies, Perth
July 13 - Sharks v Kings, Durban
July 13 - Stormers v Bulls, Cape Town
Cheetahs - bye
Qualifiers
July 19/20
Semi-finals
July 26/27
Final
August 3