The Cell C Sharks get their 2016 Vodacom Super Rugby campaign off to a start against the Kings at Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium, Port Elizabeth in week one action that kicks off on the weekend of 26/27 February.
The Kings join an enlarged competition with a new format in 2016, with the current 15 team competition extended to 18, with the inclusion of an extra team each from Japan and Argentina.
The competition is now divided into four pools: the six South African teams grouped in two African pools along with the new entrants from Japan and Argentina, while the Australasian teams remain unchanged and will be divided into New Zealand and Australian pools.
The winners of each pool will earn automatic entry to the knockout Vodacom Super Rugby Finals Series. The next highest-ranked team from the African conference will also be placed in the Finals Series along with the three next highest-ranked teams from Australasian conference.
The Cell C Sharks have two byes interspersed between their 15 pool fixtures.
Following their opening game against the Kings, they play their first match at Growthpoint KINGS PARK when they host the new Argentinean side. Week three on Saturday 12 March is a trip to Cape Town to play the Stormers and the following week against the Bulls in Pretoria.
On Saturday 26 March they host the Crusaders before their first bye in Round 6. On Saturday 9 April the Lions come to Durban and then it’s off to New Zealand for their three week overseas tour, taking in the Blues, the Highlanders and Chiefs on successive weekends.
They are back at home on Saturday 7 May to play the Hurricanes but the following week are back on the road as they travel west to play the side from Argentina. They are then back home for the return leg match against the Kings on Saturday 21 May.
Their much-awaited second bye follows with the tournament then taking a month-long break for the June internationals, before they travel to Johannesburg to play the Lions again.
Their final two matches are at home, where they host the Cheetahs and finally the team from Japan on Saturday 16 July.
The Qualifiers (knock-outs) follow on the weekend of 22/23 July, the semi-finals the next weekend with the final scheduled for Saturday 6 August.
To see all the fixtures and watch a video explanation click here
The post 2016 SUPER RUGBY FIXTURES appeared first on Sharks Rugby.
Full article here: Sharks Rugby – sbuki1030
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