Super Rugby: Expansion and Restructuring (1996–2017)

1. News Corp deal helps launch SANZAR era

   Jan 1, 1995Labels: News Corporation, SANZAR

   • Aust Rugby
   • SANZAAR
   • Rugby Hist

2. First Super 12 match kicks off

   Mar 1, 1996Labels: Super 12, Australia

   • NZ Museum
   • 1996 Super12

3. Super 12 inaugural season concludes

   May 1, 1996Labels: Super 12, season 1996

   • 1996 Super12
   • Rugby365

4. Tri Nations begins as SANZAR companion

   Jul 6, 1996Labels: Tri Nations, SANZAR

   • 1996 TriNations
   • Rugby Hist

5. Super 12 era becomes long-running baseline

   Jan 1, 2005Labels: Super 12, 2005

   • 2005 Super12
   • Rugby365

6. Super 14 begins with Force and Cheetahs

   Feb 10, 2006Labels: Western Force, Cheetahs

   • 2006 Super14
   • Force History

7. SANZAR confirms shift to Super 15 plan

   May 19, 2009Labels: SANZAR, Super 15

   • Sky Sports
   • ABC News

8. Melbourne awarded the 15th franchise

   Nov 11, 2009Labels: Melbourne franchise, Southern Kings

   • ABC News

9. Super 14 ends, setting stage for rebrand

   May 29, 2010Labels: Super 14, rebrand 2011

   • 2010 Final

10. Super Rugby launches with 15-team conferences

    Feb 18, 2011Labels: Super Rugby, three conferences

    • 2011 Season
    • 2011 Final

11. SANZAAR name change reflects Argentina’s entry

    Feb 2, 2016Labels: SANZAAR, Argentina

    • SANZAAR

12. Super Rugby expands to 18 teams

    Feb 26, 2016Labels: Jaguares, Sunwolves

    • 2016 Season
    • Sunwolves

13. SANZAAR agrees to shrink competition back to 15

    Apr 9, 2017Labels: SANZAAR decision, 2018 reduction

    • Rugby com au

14. Cheetahs and Kings confirmed cut for 2018

    Jul 7, 2017Labels: Cheetahs, Kings

    • Rugby com au

15. 2017 final closes the 18-team experiment era

    Aug 5, 2017Labels: 2017 final, Crusaders

    • 2017 Final
    • ABC News