What would Super Rugby look like in 2026 I asked myself that as someone who attended my first rugby game with the Stormers vs Crusaders, in 2012, in Christchurch. I was too young then, as a 10 year old to realise, this is the type of Rugby I liked. This is why I always watch the All Black and Springboks games to this day. It is with this spirit of South Africa someday returning (via the 4 main teams or Currie Cup teams). I know there has been talk from Frans Steyn talking about the Cheetahs return to Super Rugby and the eventual 4 teams in the north and 4 teams in the south, that was discussed pre pandemic by the SARU.

In regard to teams, I envisage 15 teams (5 NZL, 4 AUS, 3 RSA, 1 ARG, 2 Pacific) with the option if the SARU choose to bring the 4 main teams back to Super Rugby, left open for their return.  These could always be played around to find the right combination, but I think 16 teams is the max number of teams.

New Zealand:

Crusaders

Blues

Hurricanes

Highlanders

Australia:

Brumbies

Reds

Waratahs

Force

South Africa:

Cheetahs

Western Province

Pumas

Argentina:

Jaguares

Pacific Islands

Moana Pasifika

Fijian Drua

In regard to the actual format look, It would be a Round Robin tournament where there are 16 games are played, with one game against each team, and using the top 6 model  that were both used in Super 15. This would enable at least one team to have a bye each week, and I think a more competitive competition.  I would look at having super round at the end of the tournament, with it moving around counties every season to develop a more viewership for the game. The first year it could be at Toyota Stadium, in Bloemfontein and following year it could be at José Amalfitani Stadium in Buenos Aires, and then Eden Park in Auckland and vice versa. I think it could add to a final’s series and excitement push for teams still in contention for the top 6. Alongside this there is always a rounds like culture round, unity round, and many more that can be sprinkled in there. I think this really showcases the strength of Southern Hemisphere rugby and look tio a bright future ahead for Super Rugby. I can understand the argument against a format like this, with the strenuous travel involved with it.

I’d like to hear what people think of this format I have thought of, and how the format above could be improved.

Anyone seen the new format that came out today? What are your thoughts?

Personally I think it’s not bad. Even the regular season no. 1 would still want to win the first round of knockout stage because they don’t want to lose their no. 1 seed which would give them home advantage in the final.

With the discussions out of the UK and Ireland, this evening NZT around the IRFU, SRU, WRU and RFU sides merging into a British Isles Competition in 2026. This would be with out the South African sides present in Europe. If the merger was to go forward, would the South African sides rejoin Super Rugby?

I feel like if the SAANZAR can work to make travel schedules work slightly better, maybe it could allow for a better Super Rugby Competition with less travel problems for all teams.

I'm a rugby player in the U.S. and would love watch Chiefs vs Hurricanes. Are there any live streams I can watch? I am on the East Coast U.S. time and want to watch some great rugby.

Any chance the Blues game could get called off tonight? Have tickets to go but don’t fancy sitting in the torrential rain for two hours! Have games been called off in the past of the weather is too severe?

Show RA how we feel.