Competition format and sponsorship
If you are from the Northern hemisphere or Europe in particular you have probably heard of the Heineken Cup. The Super 14 is very much the same just that it is the Southern Hemisphere equivalent.
This means that the Super 14 is the largest provincial rugby union tournament championship in the southern hemisphere, consisting of provincial teams from Australia, New Zealand and South Africa.
There are fourteen provincial teams that compete against one another. Unlike the Heineken Cup there are no divisions or pools. Each team plays 13 games during the regular season which runs for fourteen and a 1/2 weeks.
The best four teams, finishing in the top four places on the competition ladder after the regular season, enter the finals leg of the tournament. The semi-finals are contested to decide the two finalists, which is played at the highest ranked winners' home ground, as opposed to a pre-selected neutral venue.
The tournament is unique in that it is played across many time zones and often matches are played when visiting teams supporters are asleep.
History
The Super 14 as we now know it is an exapnded version of the Super 12 which started in 1996. For the 2006 season the tournament was expanded from 12 teams to 14 teams. The tournament is now broadcasted in 41 countries.
Teams
The Super 14 is currently contested by fourteen (14) teams. Find out more about the teams by clicking the Team Badges near the top of the page.
Naming rights sponsors
As the tournament is held in three countries eachg country sells off the naming rights for the tournament.
Australia
In Australia, the Investec Bank has the naming rights and the competition is referred to as the Investec Super 14. It was known as the Tooheys New Super 14 during 2006.
New Zealand
In New Zealand, sporting goods retailer Rebel Sport has the naming rights and the competition is referred to as the Rebel Sport Super 14.
South Africa
In South Africa the cellular telecommunications company Vodacom has the naming rights and the competition is referred to in South Africa as the Vodacom Super 14.
