Super Rugby 2016 Draw ~ UPDATED ~

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New installment of Investec Super Rugby to deliver the goods

~ UPDATED with SUNWOLVES added to Draw ~ (originally published on: Sep 28, 2015 )

The next chapter of Investec Super Rugby provides plenty of fresh reasons for fans to keep their eyes on the world’s toughest and most exciting regional rugby competition.

SANZAR today unveiled the draw for the 2016 competition which features new teams from Japan, Argentina and South Africa who will compete for a brand new Super Rugby trophy, alongside traditional favourites.

New Zealand Rugby said the latest edition of Super Rugby had much for fans to look forward to.

“We are very excited by the next chapter of the competition,” said New Zealand Rugby General Manager Rugby Neil Sorensen.

“This is the best rugby in the world outside of internationals and now we’re taking the competition to a whole new level. We’re bringing Investec Super Rugby to new fans in Argentina, Japan and Singapore – it’s a fantastic opportunity to grow our game.”

Japan and Argentina teams all set to debut
The new Japanese team the SUNWOLVES will play its historic first game against the Lions on the afternoon of Saturday 27 February in Tokyo which will be the first Super Rugby match played in Japan. Super Rugby also comes to Singapore for the first time. The Singapore Sports Hub hosts matches between the Japanese side and the Cheetahs (Round 3), Bulls (Round 5) and Stormers (Round 12).

The new Argentinian team gets its maiden Super Rugby campaign underway in Bloemfontein that same weekend against the Cheetahs while the Port-Elizabeth-based Kings re-enter the competition with a clash against the Sharks at Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium, also in Round 1.

The names of the Japanese and Argentinian teams will be confirmed in coming months.

“There’s no doubt the teams from Argentina and Japan will add a special  character to the competition and provide a rich new layer of talk-ability for fans,” said Sorensen.

Blockbuster opening weekend
The competition begins with a double-header on Friday 26 February as the 2015 champions, the Highlanders, go up against the Blues in Auckland before the Brumbies host the Hurricanes to cap an enormous opening night involving three of last year’s four semi-finalists. The Crusaders take on the Chiefs at home the following night in the second all-New Zealand derby of the opening weekend.

Sorensen said 2016 would provide plenty of fresh fuel for fans of New Zealand teams.

“We’ll be rebuilding after Rugby World Cup so there’ll be huge opportunities for a whole new generation of exciting young talent to show their wares and press for All Blacks places.

“Who knows what amazing new talent will emerge in 2016. In 2014 few fans outside of New Zealand had heard of Malakai Fekitoa at the start of the season. And at the start of this year, who would have thought Nehe Milner-Skudder would be a World Cup All Black?

“Super Rugby is where the best of our players can unleash their talents on one of rugby’s greatest stages – so 26 February 2016 will mark a terrific start to the latest edition of this exciting competition,” he said.

Download Full Draw here – excel file