Time to get warmed up

With Super Rugby just around the corner there will be some tasty appetisers coming up in the next few weeks as all the teams get involved in some warm-ups.

A new season brings fresh hope and possibilities, and all of the Super Rugby sides will be intent on hitting the ground running once things get underway properly on February 15.

With most of the pre-season fitness programmes out of the way, the next few weeks will be vital as each side starts to focus on honing their game ahead of another gruelling season.

Whilst there may not be any log points on offer, the value of momentum before the tournament kicks off cannot be underestimated, so expect some fierce encounters as the teams look to find their feet quickly.

Super Rugby pre-season fixtures:

Blues:

v Reds – Saturday, February 2 in Toowoomba

v Waratahs – Saturday, February 9 at Toll Stadium, Whangarei

v Highlanders – Friday, February 15 at Recreation Ground, Queenstown

Brumbies:

v Western Force – Friday, February 1 at Rugby Park

Darwin ACT XV – Friday, February 8 at Viking Park, Tuggeranong

Bulls:

v Lions – Saturday, February 2 at Orlando Stadium, Soweto

v Cheetahs – Saturday, February 9 at Peter Mokaba Stadium, Polokwane

Cheetahs:

v Lions – Wednesday, January 23 at Coca-Cola Park, Johannesburg

v Bulls – Saturday, February 9 at Peter Mokaba Stadium, Polokwane

Chiefs:

v Highlanders – Saturday, February 2 at Owen Delany Park, Taupo

v Reds – Friday, February 8 at Stockland Stadium, Sunshine Coast

v Hurricanes – Saturday, February 16 at Mangatainoka Rugby Grounds, Mangatainoka

Crusaders:

v Highlanders – Friday, February 8 at Whitestone Contracting Stadium, Oamaru

v Waratahs – Thursday, February 14 at Allianz Stadium, Sydney

Highlanders:

v Chiefs – Saturday, February 2 at Owen Delany Park, Taupo

v Crusaders – Friday, February 8 at Whitestone Contracting Stadium, Oamaru

v Blues – Friday, February 15 Recreation Ground, Queenstown

Hurricanes:

v Crusaders, Saturday, February 2 in Timaru

v Rebels, Saturday, February 9 at Simonds Stadium in Geelong

v Chiefs, Saturday, February 16 in Mangatainoka

Melbourne Rebels:

v Waratahs – Saturday, February 2 at North Hobart Stadium, Hobart

v Hurricanes – Saturday, February 9 at Simonds Stadium in Geelong

Reds:

v Blues – Saturday, February 2 in Toowoomba

v Chiefs – Friday, February 8 at Stockland Stadium, Sunshine Coast

Sharks:

v Leopards – Friday, February 8 at Woodburn Stadium, Pietermaritzburg

v Pumas – Friday, February 15 at Mbombela Stadium, Nelspruit

Stormers:

TBC

Southern Kings:

v Lions – February 9 at Coca-Cola Park, Johannesburg

v Griquas, February 13 at Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium, Port Elizabeth

Waratahs:

v Melbourne Rebels – Saturday, February 2 at North Hobart Stadium, Hobart

v Blues – Saturday, February 9 at Toll Stadium, Whangarei

v Crusaders – Thursday, February 14 at Allianz Stadium, Sydney

Western Force:

v Brumbies – Friday, February 1 at Rugby Park

Lions:

v Russia – Saturday, January 19 at Coca-Cola Park, Johannesburg

v Cheetahs – Wednesday, January 23 at Coca-Cola Park, Johannesburg

v Bulls – Saturday, February 2 at Orlando Stadium, Soweto

v Southern Kings, February 9 at Coca-Cola Park, Johannesburg