We take the same and start again. As in 2011, the South African rugby will be represented in the new Super 15 season by the Stormers, the Lions, the Bulls, the Sharks and the Cheetahs. Objective, particularly for the Bulls: winning back the title.  The start of the season is on Friday, February 24. We must recall that for South Africa, the new edition of the Super 15 comes after a 2011 a bit poor in terms of  results. After missing the final phase of the competition of the leading clubs  of  the south hemisphere, the South Africans went astray during the World Cup in New Zealand. There, the South African rugby left more than its world title acquired in 2007. It abandoned its awesome power  and returned with the certainty of having to rebuild everything. It begins with   the proper performance of its five franchises involved in the super 15. In this competition of undeniable and popular success with lucrative broadcasting rights held by the Murdoch group, the South African Conference is made up of the same teams as last year.   

The Stormers, Sharks, Bulls, Cheetahs and Lions namely will fight   for several places in the final four. Apart from these confrontations with one another, the South African clubs will have to play, in a single, against eight of the ten franchises that constitute the Australian and New Zealander conferences. Last season, only the Stormers of Cape Town qualified directly for the semifinals before failing before the Crusaders of New Zealand. On their part, the Sharks of Durban were thrashed during the relegation matches by these same Crusaders. If they completely missing it out in 2011 by just being contented with the seventh place, the Blue Bulls really want react in 2012 and take back the leadership. Between 2005 and 2010, the hooker Chiliboy Ralepelle teammates won three league champion titles in the southern hemisphere and played two semi-finals. In 2012, they will once again be among the favorites and are the best chance of success for the South African rugby. This competition is also important for individuality. The Super 15 is indeed a great opportunity for players to shine at the highest level and to make themselves known to the new coach, Heyneker Meyer. Particularly in view of the Four Nations tournament which will bring together in July and August in New Zealand, Australia, Argentina and South Africa.  

Programme of the first day  

Friday, February 24
Auckland: Auckland Blues (NZ) - Canterbury Crusaders (NZ)
Canberra: ACT Brumbies (Aus) - Western Force (Aus)
Pretoria: Northern Bulls (Afs) - Coastal Sharks (Afs)

Saturday, February 25
Hamilton: Waikato Chiefs (NZ) - Hghlanders Otago (NZ)  
Sydney: NSW Waratahs (Aus) - Queensland Reds (Aus)
Cape Town: Stormers Westers (Afs) - Wellington Hurricanes (NZ)
Johannesburg Golden Lions (Afs) - Central Cheetahs (Afs)  

* The five South African franchises   -

The Stormers: Based in Cape Town Stadium: 51,000 seats Coach: Rassie Erasmus Super 15 in 2011: 6th Better performance in Super 15: finalist against the Bulls. Emblematic player: the three-quarter wing Bryan Habana    -

The Sharks Based in Durban: stadium: Absa Stadium: 55,000 seats Coach: John Plumtree Performance in 2011: 6e: play the relegation matches Better performance in Super 15: Finalist in 1996, 2001 and 2007 Emblematic player: the forward, John Smit   -

The Bulls Based in Pretoria: Lotus Versfeld Stadium: 50,000 seats Coach: Frans Ludeke Performance in 2011: 7th Better performance in Super 15: Champion in 2007, 2009 and 2010 Emblematic player: flanker Pierre Spies   -

Cheetahs Based in Bloemfontein: Free State Stadium: 37,000 seats Coach: Naka Drotské Performance in 2011: 11th Best performances in Super 15: 10th in 2006 Emblematic player: the back row of the scrum, Juan Smith.   -

The Lions Based in Johannesburg: Ellis Park Stadium: 60,000 seats Coach: Dick Muir Super 15 in 2011: 14th Better performance in Super 15: in 2001, 3rd and 4th in 2000 Emblematic player: the forward, CJ van der Linde