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
