1996 Super 12 season

1996 Super 12
Countries	Australia  South Africa  New Zealand
Tournament format(s)	Round-robin and knockout
Champions	Auckland Blues (1st title)
Matches played	69
Tries scored	442 (6.41 per match)
Top point scorer(s)	Matthew Burke (157) (NSW Waratahs)
Top try scorer(s)	James Small (13) (Natal Sharks)
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The 1996 Super 12 season was the inaugural season of the Super 12, contested by teams from Australia, New Zealand and South Africa. The season ran from February to May 1996, with each team playing all the others once. At the end of the regular season, the top four teams entered the playoff semi finals, with the first placed team playing the fourth and the second placed team playing the third. The winner of each semi final qualified for the final, which was contested between the Auckland Blues and Natal Sharks, with the Blues winning 45 – 21 to win the first Super 12 title.

This was the first season of professional rugby union in the Southern Hemisphere (the Northern Hemisphere had their first season a few months earlier due to the seasonal differences). The season was also the first of 10 under the deal between SANZAR and News Corporation which gave all broadcasting rights to News Limited for the Super 12, Tri-Nations, all inbound tours and test matches and in Australia, New Zealand and South Africa as well as provincial competition matches. The deal was collectively worth $550,000,000 USD.^[1]

The teams from Australia and New Zealand were regional teams, a system that has continued to this day. South Africa used a different system for determining its Super 12 teams. The top four sides from the previous season of the country's domestic competition, the Currie Cup, were granted berths in the Super 12. This system would continue through the 1998 competition; only in 1999 did South Africa adopt the same system used by the other two participating countries.

Table

Pos	Team	Pld	W	D	L	PF	PA	PD	BP	Pts
1	Queensland Reds	11	9	0	2	320	247	73	5	41
2	Auckland Blues	11	8	0	3	408	354	54	9	41
3	Northern Transvaal	11	8	0	3	329	208	121	6	38
4	Natal Sharks	11	6	0	5	389	277	112	9	33
5	ACT Brumbies	11	7	0	4	306	273	33	4	32
6	Waikato Chiefs	11	6	0	5	291	269	22	4	28
7	NSW Waratahs	11	5	0	6	312	290	22	8	28
8	Otago Highlanders	11	5	0	6	329	391	−62	6	26
9	Wellington Hurricanes	11	3	0	8	290	353	−63	5	17
10	Transvaal	11	3	0	8	228	299	−71	4	16
11	Western Province	11	3	1	7	251	353	−101	1	15
12	Canterbury Crusaders	11	2	1	8	234	373	−139	2	13

Points breakdown:

• 4 points for a win
• 2 points for a draw
• 1 bonus point for a loss by seven points or less
• 1 bonus point for scoring four or more tries in a match

The play offs follow a 1 v 4, 2 v 3 system with the highest placed team at home

Regular season

Week 1

	1 March 1996	Wellington Hurricanes	28 – 36	Auckland Blues	The Showgrounds, Palmerston North
		Try: Alama Ieremia Con: Jamie Cameron (1/1) Pen: Jamie Cameron (7)	Scoreboard[2]	Try: Andrew Blowers, Eroni Clarke, Ofisa Tonu'u, Carlos Spencer, Craig Dowd Con: Zinzan Brooke Pen: Greg Cooper (3)	Referee: Paddy O'Brien

	1 March 1996	NSW Waratahs	32 – 11	Transvaal	Sydney Football Stadium, Sydney
		Try: Matthew Burke (2), Tim Gavin, Alistair Murdoch Con: Matthew Burke (3/3) Pen: Matthew Burke (2)	Scoreboard[3]	Try: Christiaan Scholtz Pen: Gavin Johnson (2)	Referee: Scott Young

	2 March 1996	Natal Sharks	28 – 22	Western Province	King's Park, Durban
		Try: Jeremy Thomson, André Joubert, Dieter Kriese Con: André Joubert (2) Pen: André Joubert (3)	Scoreboard[4]	Try: Justin Swart, Pieter Rossouw, Louis Blom Con: Vlokkie Cilliers (2) Pen: Vlokkie Cilliers	Referee: Tappe Henning

	3 March 1996	Waikato Chiefs	27 – 26	Canterbury Crusaders	Rugby Park, Hamilton
		Try: Glen Osbourne, Eric Rush Con: Ian Foster Pen: Ian Foster (5)	Scoreboard[5]	Try: Adrian Tukaki, Brad Fleming Con: Andy Miller (2) Pen: Andy Miller (3) Drop: Andy Miller	Referee: Glenn Wahlstrom

	3 March 1996	Otago Highlanders	57 – 17	Queensland Reds	Carisbrook, Dunedin
		Try: Stephen Bachop (2), Taine Randell, Lio Falaniko, Brendon Timmins, Kupu Vanisi, Brian Lima Con: Matthew Cooper (5) Pen: Matthew Cooper (4)	Scoreboard[6]	Try: Ben Tune (2), Garrick Morgan Con: John Eales	Attendance: 12,000 Referee: Colin Hawke

	5 March 1996	ACT Brumbies	13 – 9	Transvaal	Bruce Stadium, Canberra
		Try: Elisi Vunipola Con: David Knox Pen: David Knox (2)	Scoreboard[7]	Pen: Gavin Johnson (2), Gavin Lawless	Referee: Wayne Erickson

Week 2

	9 March 1996	Otago Highlanders	29 – 15	Transvaal	Carisbrook, Dunedin
		Try: Jeff Wilson (2), Tony Brown, Brian Lima Con: Tony Brown (2), Jeff Wilson Pen: Jeff Wilson	Scoreboard[8]	Try: Charles Rossouw, Japie Mulder Con: Gavin Johnson Pen: Gavin Johnson	Referee: Steve Walsh

	9 March 1996	ACT Brumbies	35 – 28	Wellington Hurricanes	Bruce Stadium, Canberra
		Try: Mitch Hardy (2), George Gregan, Ipolito Fenukitau Con: David Knox (2), Adam Friend Pen: David Knox (3)	Scoreboard[9]	Try: Christian Cullen, Chresten Davis, Rhys Duggan Con: Jamie Cameron (2) Pen: Jamie Cameron (3)

	9 March 1996	Western Province	22 – 30	NSW Waratahs	Newlands, Cape Town
		Try: Justin Swart Con: Joel Stransky Pen: Joel Stransky (5)	Scoreboard[10]	Try: Alistair Murdoch, Tim Gavin, Matthew Burke Con: Matthew Burke (3) Pen: Matthew Burke (3)	Referee: Ian Rogers

	9 March 1996	Northern Transvaal	30 – 8	Natal Sharks	Loftus Versfeld, Pretoria
		Try: Jacques Olivier, Adriaan Richter, Penalty try Con: Jannie Kruger (3) Pen: Jannie Kruger (3)	Scoreboard[11]	Try: James Small Con: André Joubert	Referee: Andre Watson

	10 March 1996	Canterbury Crusaders	18 – 49	Auckland Blues	Lancaster Park, Christchurch
		Try: Adrian Tukaki, Brad Fleming, Matt Sexton Drop: Graeme Dempster	Scoreboard[12]	Try: Andrew Blowers (2), Lee Stensness, Jonah Lomu, Charles Riechelmann, Waisake Sotutu, Errol Brain, Penalty try Con: Carlos Spencer (3) Pen: Carlos Spencer	Attendance: 10,400 Referee: Paddy O'Brien

	10 March 1996	Queensland Reds	26 – 22	Waikato Chiefs	Ballymore, Brisbane
		Try: Damian Smith, Ben Tune Con: John Eales (2) Pen: John Eales (4)	Scoreboard[13]	Try: Joeli Veitayaki, Walter Little, Penalty try Con: Ian Foster (2) Pen: Ian Foster	Referee: Mick Keogh

Week 3

	15 March 1996	Wellington Hurricanes	32 – 16	Transvaal	McLean Park, Napier
		Try: Christian Cullen, Tana Umaga, Alama Ieremia, Mark Allen Con: Jamie Cameron (3) Pen: Jamie Cameron (2)	Scoreboard[14]	Try: Jannie van der Walt Con: Gavin Lawless Pen: Gavin Lawless (3)	Referee: Glenn Wahlstrom

	15 March 1996	ACT Brumbies	40 – 34	Auckland Blues	Bruce Stadium, Canberra
		Try: Ipolito Fenukitau (2), Joe Roff, Troy Coker, Owen Finegan Con: Adam Friend (3) Pen: Adam Friend (3)	Scoreboard[15]	Try: Joeli Vidiri (2), Eroni Clarke, Jonah Lomu, Chris Rose Con: Carlos Spencer (3) Pen: Carlos Spencer	Attendance: 17,000 Referee: Barry Leask

	16 March 1996	Western Province	25 – 52	Otago Highlanders	Newlands, Cape Town
		Try: Justin Swart (2), Simon Berridge Con: Joel Stransky (2) Pen: Joel Stransky (2)	Scoreboard[16]	Try: To’o Vaega (3), Paul Cooke (2), Brian Lima, Stu Forster, Brendon Timmins Con: Jeff Wilson (6)	Referee: Marius Franken

	16 March 1996	Northern Transvaal	32 – 29	NSW Waratahs	Loftus Versfeld, Pretoria
		Try: FA Meiring, Krynauw Otto Con: Lance Sherrell, Jannie Kruger Pen: Lance Sherrell (6)	Scoreboard[17]	Try: Tim Kelaher, Sam Payne Con: Matthew Burke (2) Pen: Matthew Burke (5)	Referee: Stef Neethling

	17 March 1996	Queensland Reds	52 – 16	Canterbury Crusaders	Ballymore, Brisbane
		Try: Garrick Morgan (2), Ben Tune, Mark Connors, Michael Flanagan, Michael Foley Con: John Eales (5) Pen: John Eales (4)	Scoreboard[18]	Try: Mark Mayerhofler Con: Mark Mayerhofler Pen: Andy Miller (3)	Referee: Wayne Erickson

	17 March 1996	Natal Sharks	63 – 25	Waikato Chiefs	King's Park, Durban
		Try: James Small (3), André Joubert, Dick Muir, Joos Joubert, Ollie le Roux Con: André Joubert (5) Pen: André Joubert (5), Henry Honiball	Scoreboard[19]	Try: Frank Bunce, Richard Turner, Blair Larsen Con: Ian Foster (2) Pen: Ian Foster Drop: Ian Foster	Referee: Andre Watson

Week 4

	20 March 1996	Northern Transvaal	59 – 29	Otago Highlanders	Loftus Versfeld, Pretoria
		Try: André Snyman, Danie van Schalkwyk, Jannie Kruger, Joost van der Westhuizen, Adriaan Richter Con: Jannie Kruger (5) Pen: Jannie Kruger (8)	Scoreboard[20]	Try: Matthew Cooper, Taine Randell Con: Matthew Cooper (2) Pen: Matthew Cooper (2), Jeff Wilson (3)	Referee: Ian Rogers

	22 March 1996	Canterbury Crusaders	16 – 16	Western Province	Lancaster Park, Christchurch
		Try: Simon Forrest Con: Graeme Dempster Pen: Simon Forrest, Graeme Dempster (2)	Scoreboard[21]	Try: Johan Kapp Con: Vlokkie Cilliers Pen: Joel Stransky (3)	Referee: Paddy O'Brien

	23 March 1996	Transvaal	26 – 23	Waikato Chiefs	Ellis Park, Johannesburg
		Try: Jopie Adlam, Francois Pienaar Con: Gavin Lawless (2) Pen: Gavin Lawless (4)	Scoreboard[22]	Try: Glen Osbourne (2) Con: Warren Burton (2) Pen: Warren Burton (3)	Referee: Tappe Henning

	24 March 1996	Wellington Hurricanes	25 – 32	Queensland Reds	Athletic Park, Wellington
		Try: Alex Telea, Chresten Davis Pen: Jamie Cameron (3), Simon Mannix (2)	Scoreboard[23]	Try: Tim Horan, Daniel Herbert, Ben Tune, Tony Daly, Toutai Kefu Con: John Eales (2) Pen: John Eales	Referee: Colin Hawke

	24 March 1996	NSW Waratahs	44 – 10	ACT Brumbies	Sydney Football Stadium, Sydney
		Try: Jason Madz (2), David Campese, Scott Bowen, Richard Harry, Matthew Burke Con: Matthew Burke (4) Pen: Matthew Burke (2)	Scoreboard[24]	Try: Joe Roff, Andrew Williams	Referee: Andrew Cole

Week 5

	27 March 1996	Auckland Blues	48 – 30	Western Province	Eden Park, Auckland
		Try: Eroni Clarke, Andrew Blowers, Carlos Spencer, Michael Jones, Ofisa Tonu'u, Richard Fromont Con: Carlos Spencer (3) Pen: Carlos Spencer (3) Drop: Carlos Spencer	Scoreboard[25]	Try: Simon Berridge, Marthinus Linee, Corné Krige Con: Joel Stransky (3) Pen: Joel Stransky (3)	Referee: Steve Walsh

	29 March 1996	Canterbury Crusaders	21 – 16	NSW Waratahs	Lancaster Park, Christchurch
		Try: Mark Mayerhofler, Justin Marshall Con: Greg Coffey Pen: Greg Coffey (3)	Scoreboard[26]	Try: Warwick Waugh Con: Matthew Burke Pen: Matthew Burke (3)	Referee: Glenn Wahlstrom

	29 March 1996	ACT Brumbies	44 – 31	Natal Sharks	Manuka Oval, Canberra
		Try: Joe Roff (4), Stephen Larkham, James Holbeck Con: Adam Friend (4) Pen: Adam Friend (2)	Scoreboard[27]	Try: Henry Honiball, Jeremy Thomson, James Small Con: Henry Honiball (2) Pen: Henry Honiball (4)	Referee: Stuart Dickinson

	29 March 1996	Queensland Reds	25 – 18	Northern Transvaal	Ballymore, Brisbane
		Try: Penalty try Con: John Eales Pen: John Eales (6)	Scoreboard[28]	Try: Danie van Schalkwyk, Andries Truscott Con: Jannie Kruger Pen: Jannie Kruger (2)	Referee: Peter Marshall

	30 March 1996	Waikato Chiefs	44 – 17	Western Province	Rugby Park, Hamilton
		Try: Milton Going (2), Joeli Veitayaki, Craig Stevenson, Ian Foster Con: Ian Foster (4), Warren Burton Pen: Warren Burton (3)	Scoreboard[29]	Try: Justin Swart (2) Con: Joel Stransky (2) Pen: Joel Stransky	Referee: Steve Walsh

	30 March 1996	Otago Highlanders	15 – 44	Wellington Hurricanes	Carisbrook, Dunedin
		Pen: Simon Culhane (4) Drop: Simon Culhane	Scoreboard[30]	Try: Sam Doyle, Rhys Duggan, Karl Williams, Marty Berry, Penalty try Con: Jamie Cameron (5) Pen: Jamie Cameron (3)	Referee: Alan Riley

Week 6

	2 April 1996	Auckland Blues	51 – 29	Otago Highlanders	Growers Stadium, Pukekohe
		Try: Jarrod Cunningham (2), Andrew Blowers (2), James Kerr, Eroni Clarke, Dylan Mika Con: Carlos Spencer (4) Pen: Carlos Spencer (2)	Scoreboard[31]	Try: Matthew Cooper, George Leaupepe, Brett McCormack, Penalty try Con: Simon Culhane (3) Drop: Simon Culhane	Referee: Colin Hawke

	2 April 1996	NSW Waratahs	6 – 34	Natal Sharks	Sydney Football Stadium, Sydney
		Pen: Matthew Burke (2)	Scoreboard[32]	Try: Jeremy Thomson (2), James Small, Joos Joubert, Wayne Fyvie Con: Henry Honiball (3) Pen: Henry Honiball	Referee: Scott Young

	3 April 1996	Waikato Chiefs	26 – 18	ACT Brumbies	Lowe Walker Stadium, Whangarei
		Try: Scott McLeod, Duane Monkley Con: Warren Burton (2) Pen: Warren Burton (4)	Scoreboard[33]	Try: John Langford, Patricio Noriega Con: Adam Friend Pen: Adam Friend (2)	Referee: Glenn Wahlstrom

	3 April 1996	Canterbury Crusaders	18 – 34	Northern Transvaal	Jade Stadium, Christchurch
		Try: Damon Kaui (2) Con: Greg Coffey Pen: Greg Coffey (2)	Scoreboard[34]	Try: Adriaan Richter (2), Dawie du Toit, Jacques Olivier, Andries Truscott Con: Lance Sherrell (3) Pen: Lance Sherrell	Referee: Rod Hill

	3 April 1996	Queensland Reds	36 – 26	Western Province	Ballymore, Brisbane
		Try: Tim Horan, Daniel Herbet, Jason Little, Mark Connors Con: John Eales (2) Pen: John Eales (4)	Scoreboard[35]	Try: Joggie Viljoen, Garry Pagel, Johan Kapp Con: Joel Stransky Pen: Joel Stransky (3)	Referee: Mick Keogh

	6 April 1996	Wellington Hurricanes	27 – 43	Natal Sharks	Athletic Park, Wellington
		Try: Christian Cullen (2), Marty Berry, Tana Umaga Con: Jamie Cameron (2) Pen: Jamie Cameron	Scoreboard[36]	Try: André Joubert (3), James Small (3) Con: Henry Honiball (2) Pen: Henry Honiball (3)	Attendance: 15,000 Referee: Colin Hawke

	7 April 1996	Auckland Blues	30 – 26	Northern Transvaal	Eden Park, Auckland
		Try: Jonah Lomu (2), Andrew Blowers, Lee Stensness Con: Carlos Spencer (2) Pen: Carlos Spencer (2)	Scoreboard[37]	Try: Dawie du Toit, Frikkie Bosman, Lance Sherrell Con: Lance Sherrell Pen: Lance Sherrell (3)	Referee: Steve Walsh

Week 7

	8 April 1996	Canterbury Crusaders	7 – 29	ACT Brumbies	Lancaster Park, Christchurch
		Try: Richard Loe Con: Greg Coffey	Scoreboard[38]	Try: Craig Sweeney, Ipolito Fenukitau, Mitch Hardy Con: Adam Friend Pen: Adam Friend (4)	Referee: Glenn Wahlstrom

	10 April 1996	Otago Highlanders	33 – 32	Natal Sharks	Carisbrook, Dunedin
		Try: Brian Lima, Jeff Wilson, John Leslie, Matthew Cooper Con: Matthew Cooper (2) Pen: Matthew Cooper (2), Jeff Wilson	Scoreboard[39]	Try: André Joubert, Jeremy Thomson, Wayne Fyvie, Wickus van Heerden Con: Henry Honiball Drop: James Small	Referee: Colin Hawke

	11 April 1996	Waikato Chiefs	17 – 9	Northern Transvaal	Rugby Park, Hamilton
		Try: Glen Osbourne, Norm Berryman Con: Warren Burton (2) Pen: Warren Burton	Scoreboard[40]	Pen: Dawie du Toit, Jannie Kruger Drop: Jannie Kruger	Referee: Steve Walsh

	13 April 1996	Transvaal	23 – 26	Western Province	Ellis Park, Johannesburg
		Try: Gavin Lawless, James Dalton Con: Gavin Lawless (2) Pen: Gavin Lawless (3)	Scoreboard[41]	Try: Justin Swart Pen: Joel Stransky (7)	Referee: Ian Rogers

	14 April 1996	Queensland Reds	15 – 13	NSW Waratahs	Ballymore, Brisbane
		Pen: John Eales (5)	Scoreboard[42]	Try: Kevin O'Kane Con: Matthew Burke Pen: Matthew Burke (2)	Referee: Wayne Erickson

	14 April 1996	Wellington Hurricanes	13 – 36	Canterbury Crusaders	Rugby Park, New Plymouth
		Try: Christian Cullen Con: Jamie Cameron Pen: Jamie Cameron (2)	Scoreboard[43]	Try: Damon Kaui, Daryl Gibson, Pita Alatini, Todd Blackadder Con: Andy Miller (2) Pen: Andy Miller (4)	Referee: Paddy O'Brien

Week 8

	16 April 1996	Otago Highlanders	5 – 22	Waikato Chiefs	Rugby Park Stadium, Invercargill
		Try: Matthew Cooper	Scoreboard[44]	Try: Paul Mitchell, Richard Turner, Simon Crabb Con: Ian Foster (2) Pen: Ian Foster	Referee: Colin Hawke

	19 April 1996	Northern Transvaal	25 – 15	Transvaal	Loftus Versfeld, Pretoria
		Try: Hannes Venter Con: Jannie Kruger Pen: Jannie Kruger (5) Drop: Jannie Kruger	Scoreboard[45]	Try: Gavin Lawless, Ian Hattingh, Pieter Hendricks	Referee: Marius Franken

	20 April 1996	Auckland Blues	39 – 31	Waikato Chiefs	Eden Park, Auckland
		Try: Joeli Vidiri, Jonah Lomu, Ofisa Tonu'u, Zinzan Brooke, Penalty try Con: Carlos Spencer (3), Adrian Cashmore Pen: Adrian Cashmore, Carlos Spencer	Scoreboard[46]	Try: Eric Rush, Paul Mitchell, Penalty try Con: Ian Foster (2) Pen: Ian Foster (4)	Referee: Steve Walsh

	20 April 1996	ACT Brumbies	21 – 20	Queensland Reds	Bruce Stadium, Canberra
		Try: Ipolito Fenukitau, Owen Finegan Con: Adam Friend Pen: Adam Friend (2), Joe Roff	Scoreboard[47]	Try: Ben Tune, Daniel Herbert Con: John Eales (2) Pen: John Eales (2)	Referee: Stuart Dickinson

	21 April 1996	NSW Waratahs	29 – 25	Otago Highlanders	Sydney Football Stadium, Sydney
		Try: Alistair Murdoch, David Campese, Matt Dixon, Tim Wallace Con: Matthew Burke (3) Pen: Matthew Burke	Scoreboard[48]	Try: Brian Lima (2), Kupu Vanisi Con: Matthew Cooper (2) Pen: Matthew Cooper (2)	Referee: Scott Young

Week 9

	23 April 1996	Western Province	35 – 25	Wellington Hurricanes	Newlands Stadium, Cape Town
		Try: Joggie Viljoen (2), Justin Swart Con: Joel Stransky Pen: Joel Stransky (6)	Scoreboard[49]	Try: Christian Cullen, George Konia, Karl Williams Con: Jon Preston (2) Pen: Jon Preston (2)	Attendance: 22,169 Referee: Tappe Henning

	23 April 1996	Transvaal	55 – 23	Canterbury Crusaders	Ellis Park, Johannesburg
		Try: James Dalton (2), Gavin Lawless, Gerhard Combrinck, Johan Roux, Pieter Hendricks, Penalty try Con: Gavin Lawless (4) Pen: Gavin Lawless (4)	Scoreboard[50]	Try: Angus Gardiner (2), Justin Marshall Con: Andy Miller Pen: Andy Miller (2)	Referee: Stef Neethling

	26 April 1996	Queensland Reds	51 – 13	Auckland Blues	Ballymore, Brisbane
		Try: Garrick Morgan (2), Ben Tune, Damien Smith, Jason Little, Mark Connors, Toutai Kefu Con: John Eales (5) Pen: John Eales (2)	Scoreboard[51]	Try: Joeli Vidiri, Olo Brown Pen: Adrian Cashmore	Referee: Peter Marshall

	27 April 1996	Northern Transvaal	38 – 20	Wellington Hurricanes	Loftus Versfeld, Pretoria
		Try: André Snyman, Andries Truscott, Ruben Kruger, Theo Van Rensburg Con: Jannie Kruger (3) Pen: Jannie Kruger (3), Joost Van der Westhuizen	Scoreboard[52]	Try: Alex Telea, Jason O'Halloran, Tana Umaga Con: Marty Berry Pen: Marty Berry	Referee: Andre Watson

	27 April 1996	Natal Sharks	58 – 26	Canterbury Crusaders	ABSA Stadium, Durban
		Try: Cabous van der Westhuisen (2), Jozuzi Joubert (2), James Small, Jeremy Thomson, John Allan, Ollie Le Roux Con: Henry Honiball (5), André Joubert Pen: Henry Honiball (2)	Scoreboard[53]	Try: Adrian Tukaki, Norm Maxwell Con: Andy Miller (2) Pen: Andy Miller (4)	Referee: Carl Spannenberg

	28 April 1996	Waikato Chiefs	39 – 17	NSW Waratahs	Rugby Park, Hamilton
		Try: Ian Jones (3), Eric Rush (2) Con: Ian Foster (4) Pen: Ian Foster Drop: Ian Foster	Scoreboard[54]	Try: Alistair Murdoch, Jason Madz Con: Matthew Burke (2) Pen: Matthew Burke	Referee: Glenn Wahlstrom

	28 April 1996	Western Province	25 – 16	ACT Brumbies	Newlands Stadium, Cape Town
		Try: Johan Kapp, Rhys Botha, Vlok Cilliers Con: Joel Stransky (2) Pen: Joel Stransky (2)	Scoreboard[55]	Try: Patricio Noriega Con: David Knox Pen: David Knox (2), Adam Friend	Attendance: 28,107 Referee: Ian Rogers

Week 10

	1 May 1996	Auckland Blues	56 – 44	NSW Waratahs	Eden Park, Auckland
		Try: Joeli Vidiri (3), Eroni Clarke, Ofisa Tonu'u, Olo Brown, Zinzan Brooke, Penalty try Con: Adrian Cashmore (5) Pen: Adrian Cashmore (2)	Scoreboard[56]	Try: Alistair Murdoch, Andrew Blades, Anthony Ekert, Daniel Manu, David Campese, Warwick Waugh Con: Matthew Burke (4) Pen: Matthew Burke (2)	Referee: Paddy O'Brien

	1 May 1996	Natal Sharks	49 – 13	Transvaal	ABSA Stadium, Durban
		Try: Henry Honiball (2), Adrian Garvey, André Joubert, James Small, Wayne Fyvie Con: Henry Honiball (5) Pen: Henry Honiball (3)	Scoreboard[57]	Try: Gavin Lawless Con: Gavin Lawless Pen: Gavin Lawless (2)	Referee: Stef Neethling

	4 May 1996	Waikato Chiefs	15 – 23	Wellington Hurricanes	Rotorua Int'l Stadium, Rotorua
		Try: Dean Anglesey, Warren Johnston Con: Ian Foster Pen: Ian Foster	Scoreboard[58]	Try: Jason O'Halloran, Mark Allen Con: Jon Preston (2) Pen: Jon Preston (3)	Referee: Glenn Wahlstrom

	4 May 1996	Northern Transvaal	23 – 10	ACT Brumbies	Loftus Versfeld, Pretoria
		Try: Frikkie Bosman Pen: Jannie Kruger (6)	Scoreboard[59]	Try: Marco Caputo, Patricio Noriega	Referee: Stef Neethling

	5 May 1996	Canterbury Crusaders	27 – 29	Otago Highlanders	Lancaster Park, Christchurch
		Try: Justin Marshall, Pita Alatini, Richard Loe Con: Andy Miller (3) Pen: Andy Miller (2)	Scoreboard[60]	Try: Jeff Wilson (2), To'o Vaega Con: Matthew Cooper Pen: Matthew Cooper (4)	Referee: Steve Walsh

	5 May 1996	Natal Sharks	20 – 21	Queensland Reds	ABSA Stadium, Durban
		Try: André Joubert Pen: Henry Honiball (5)	Scoreboard[61]	Try: Jason Little, Tim Horan Con: John Eales Pen: John Eales (3)	Referee: Tappe Henning

Week 11

	7 May 1996	Transvaal	34 – 22	Auckland Blues	Ellis Park, Johannesburg
		Try: Francois Pienaar, Ian McDonald, Joe Gillingham, Johan Roux Con: Gavin Lawless (4) Pen: Gavin Lawless (2)	Scoreboard[62]	Try: Joeli Vidiri (2), Penalty try Con: Adrian Cashmore (2) Pen: Adrian Cashmore	Referee: Steve Walsh

	10 May 1996	NSW Waratahs	52 – 25	Wellington Hurricanes	Sydney Football Stadium, Sydney
		Try: Alistair Murdoch (3), David Campese, Jason Madz, Matthew Burke, Richard Harry Con: Matthew Burke (4) Pen: Matthew Burke (3)	Scoreboard[63]	Try: Alex Telea, Christian Cullen, Tana Umaga Con: Jon Preston (2) Pen: Jon Preston (2)	Referee: Andrew Cole

	10 May 1996	Western Province	7 – 35	Northern Transvaal	Newlands Stadium, Cape Town
		Try: Nico Wegner Con: Vlok Cilliers	Scoreboard[64]	Try: Hannes Venter (2), Theo Van Rensburg (2), Krynauw Otto Con: Jannie Kruger (2) Pen: Jannie Kruger (2)	Attendance: 37,524 Referee: Johann Meuwesen

	11 May 1996	Transvaal	16 – 25	Queensland Reds	Ellis Park, Johannesburg
		Try: Johan Roux, Pieter Hendriks Pen: Gavin Lawless (2)	Scoreboard[65]	Try: Ben Tune, Brett Johnstone, Tim Horan Con: John Eales (2) Pen: John Eales (2)	Referee: Ian Rogers

	11 May 1996	Natal Sharks	23 – 30	Auckland Blues	ABSA Stadium, Durban
		Try: James Small, Penalty try Con: Henry Honiball (2) Pen: Henry Honiball (3)	Scoreboard[66]	Try: Adrian Cashmore, Eroni Clarke, Penalty try Con: Adrian Cashmore (3) Pen: Adrian Cashmore (3)	Attendance: 52,000 Referee: Andre Watson

	12 May 1996	ACT Brumbies	70 – 26	Otago Highlanders	Bruce Stadium, Canberra
		Try: Mitch Hardy (3), Brett Robinson, David Giffin, Ipolito Fenukitau, Joe Roff, Owen Finegan, Penalty try Con: David Knox (6), Joe Roff (2) Pen: David Knox (3)	Scoreboard[67]	Try: Chris England, Jeff Wilson, Kupu Vanisi Con: Jeff Wilson Pen: Jeff Wilson (3)	Referee: Wayne Erickson

Finals

Semifinals

	18 May 1996	Queensland Reds	25 – 43	Natal Sharks	Ballymore, Brisbane
		Try: Michael Foley Tim Horan Penalty try Con: John Eales (2) Pen: John Eales (2)	Scoreboard[68]	Try: Cabous van der Westhuisen (3) André Joubert (2) Jeremy Thomson Wickus van Heerden Con: André Joubert (2) Henry Honiball (2)	Referee: Paddy O'Brien

	19 May 1996	Auckland Blues	48 – 11	Northern Transvaal	Eden Park, Auckland
		Try: Jonah Lomu (2) Adrian Cashmore Joeli Vidiri Johnny Ngauamo Ofisa Tonu'u Robin Brooke Sean Fitzpatrick Con: Adrian Cashmore (4)	Scoreboard[69]	Try: Conrad Breytenbach Pen: Jannie Kruger (2)	Attendance: 42,000 Referee: Wayne Erickson

Final

25 May 1996

Auckland Blues	45 – 21	Natal Sharks
Try: Andrew Blowers (2), Carlos Spencer, Charles Riechelmann, Eroni Clarke, Jonah Lomu Con: Adrian Cashmore (3) Pen: Adrian Cashmore (3)	Scoreboard[70]	Try: André Joubert, James Small Con: Henry Honiball Pen: Henry Honiball (3)

Eden Park, Auckland Attendance: 46,000 Referee: Wayne Erickson

Auckland Blues FB 15 Adrian Cashmore RW 14 Joeli Vidiri OC 13 Eroni Clarke IC 12 Johnny Ngauamo LW 11 Jonah Lomu FH 10 Carlos Spencer SH 9 Ofisa Tonu'u N8 8 Zinzan Brooke (c) OF 7 Andrew Blowers BF 6 Michael Jones RL 5 Charles Riechelmann LL 4 Robin Brooke TP 3 Olo Brown HK 2 Sean Fitzpatrick LP 1 Craig Dowd Substitutes: Bn 16 Lee Stensness Bn 17 Cameron Rackham Bn 18 Michael Scott Bn 19 Jason Chandler Bn 20 Kevin Nepia Bn 21 Andrew Roose Coach: Graham Henry

Natal Sharks FB 15 André Joubert RW 14 James Small OC 13 Jeremy Thomson IC 12 Dick Muir LW 11 Cabous van der Westhuisen FH 10 Henry Honiball SH 9 Kevin Putt N8 8 Gary Teichmann (c) OF 7 Wickus van Heerden BF 6 Wayne Fyvie RL 5 Mark Andrews LL 4 Steve Atherton TP 3 Adrian Garvey HK 2 John Allan LP 1 Ollie le Roux Substitutions: Bn 16 Jozuzi Joubert Bn 17 Roland de Marigny Bn 18 Robert du Preez Bn 19 Dieter Kriese Bn 20 John Slade Bn 21 Federico Mendez Coach: Ian McIntosh

Statistics

Top ten points scorers

Player	Team	Total	Points per game													Details
			1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	10	11	Semis	Final
Matthew Burke	NSW Waratahs	157	22	20	19	19	11	6	8	9	7	14	22	DNQ	DNQ	5 try; 27 con; 26 pen
John Eales	Queensland Reds	155	2	16	22	7	20	16	15	10	16	11	10	10	DNQ	25 con; 33 pen
Jannie Kruger	Northern Transvaal	139	15	2	39	8	0	0	6	20	15	18	10	6	DNQ	1 try; 16 con; 32 pen; 2 dg
Henry Honiball	Natal Sharks	136	0	0	3	21	9	13	2	16	29	15	13	4	11	3 try; 23 con; 25 pen
Joel Stransky	Western Province	120	DNP	17	10	9	15	7	11	21	20	10	0	DNQ	DNQ	12 con; 34 pen
Gavin Lawless	Transvaal	111	0	3	DNP	11	16	18	5	25	13	14	6	DNQ	DNQ	4 try; 14 con; 21 pen
André Joubert	Natal Sharks	101	18	2	30	0	0	15	5	2	5	5	0	14	5	11 try; 11 con; 8 pen
Jamie Cameron	Wellington Hurricanes	91	23	13	12	9	19	7	8	DNP	DNP	DNP	DNP	DNQ	DNQ	14 con; 21 pen
Ian Foster	Waikato Chiefs	89	17	7	10	0	13	0	0	7	16	14	5	DNQ	DNQ	1 try; 18 con; 14 pen; 2 dg
Matthew Cooper	Otago Highlanders	86	22	0	0	15	0	5	15	5	10	14	DNP	DNQ	DNQ	4 try; 12 con; 14 pen

Top ten try scorers

Player	Team	Total	Tries per game
			1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	10	11	Semis	Final
James Small	Natal Sharks	13	0	1	3	1	1	3	0	1	1	0	1	0	1
André Joubert	Natal Sharks	11	1	0	1	0	0	3	1	0	1	1	0	2	1
Joeli Vidiri	Auckland Blues	10	0	0	2	DNP	DNP	DNP	1	1	3	2	0	1	0
Alistair Murdoch	NSW Waratahs	8	1	1	0	0	DNP	DNP	0	1	1	1	3	DNQ	DNQ
Andrew Blowers	Auckland Blues	8	1	2	0	1	2	1	0	0	DNP	0	0	0	1
Ben Tune	Queensland Reds	8	2	1	1	1	0	0	0	1	1	0	1	0	DNQ
Jonah Lomu	Auckland Blues	8	0	1	1	DNP	0	2	1	0	DNP	0	0	2	1
Justin Swart	Western Province	8	1	1	2	0	0	2	0	1	1	0	0	DNQ	DNQ
Joe Roff	ACT Brumbies	7	0	0	1	1	4	0	0	0	0	0	1	DNQ	DNQ
Jeremy Thomson	Natal Sharks	7	1	0	0	1	2	0	1	1	DNP	DNP	0	1	0
Christian Cullen	Wellington Hurricanes	7	0	1	1	DNP	DNP	2	1	1	0	0	1	DNQ	DNQ
Eroni Clarke	Auckland Blues	7	1	0	1	1	1	0	0	0	1	0	1	0	1

Notes and references