The 2020 Super Rugby season was the 25th season of Super Rugby, the international men's rugby union competition organised by SANZAAR involving teams from Argentina, Australia, Japan, New Zealand and South Africa. It was the third tournament in its then-current fifteen-team format, and it was also its last. The Christchurch-based were the defending champions, having won the previous three consecutive seasons back-to-back (2017, 2018, 2019).
On 14 March 2020, it was announced that the season would be suspended after the conclusion of round seven fixtures, due to the COVID-19 pandemic and a travel restriction that was announced by New Zealand earlier in the day. Replacement regional tournaments would take place thereafter, beginning in June in New Zealand, July in Australia and October in South Africa.
Competition format Fifteen teams were to partake in the 2020 edition of Super Rugby. They were split into three conferences: the Australian Conference (consisting of four Australian teams and the Japanese ), the New Zealand Conference (consisting of five New Zealand teams), and the South African Conference (consisting of four South African teams and the from Argentina).
The group stages were to consist of 18 rounds of matches spanning from 31 January 2020 until the beginning of June. Teams were to play 16 matches each across these 18 rounds with two bye weeks built into each of their schedules. Teams were to play each of their conference rivals home and away and then another eight matches against non-conference teams either home or away, but against a minimum of four of the teams in the other conferences.
The winner of each conference would qualify for the Super Rugby finals, along with the next five best teams from all the conferences. The winners of each conference and the best placed team were to host the quarterfinals. It was planned that winners of the quarterfinals would progress to the semifinals, and the winners of the semifinals to the final, but eventually all matches were cancelled (see below).
COVID-19 pandemic
Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, two Sunwolves matches were moved to Australia from Japan. It was announced 12 March that although fans would still be admitted for that weekend's fixtures, future rounds held in Australia were to be played behind closed doors. On 14 March, New Zealand announced that all travellers entering the country from outside of the Pacific Islands would be required to self-isolate for 14 days on arrival. As this would have made play logistically difficult, SANZAAR announced that the season would be suspended indefinitely following the completion of the seventh round of fixtures.
Following the suspension, SANZAAR and regional rugby boards proposed regional tournaments to replace the Super Rugby fixtures that were cancelled. On 6 May, New Zealand Rugby announced that a Super Rugby Aotearoa competition, involving the five New Zealand teams, would begin on 13 June. The competition will be contested using a double round robin format, with 20 matches played over 10 weeks. On 27 May, Rugby Australia confirmed Super Rugby AU would begin on 3 July, involving the four Australian sides in the Australian conference and the Western Force, who played in Super Rugby until the 2017 season. The Sunwolves were also in discussions to take part in the Australian competition, but due to travel restrictions were unable to do so. Following this, the club was disbanded on 1 June, with the side having been due to leave Super Rugby at the end of the original 2020 season.
On 16 September, SA Rugby announced a 7 team competition between the four South African Super Rugby sides, plus the Cheetahs from Pro14, and the Griquas and Pumas from the Currie Cup, starting on 10 October. On 18 September, the official details of the Super Rugby Unlocked tournament was announced, with the 7 teams playing each other in a round robin format over the course of 7 weeks, with the domestic Currie Cup competition continuing thereafter.
Standings Conference standings
Overall standings
Round-by-round The table below shows each team's progression throughout the season. For each round, their cumulative points total is shown with the overall log position in brackets:
Team Progression – Australian Conference Team R1 R2 R3 R4 R5 R6 R7 R8 R9 R10 R11 R12 R13 R14 R15 R16 R17 R18 QF SF Final Brumbies 4 (7th) 8 (3rd) 9 (3rd) 13 (3rd) 13 (3rd) 18 (3rd) 23 (2nd) 23 (2nd) 23 (2nd) 23 (2nd) 23 (2nd) 23 (2nd) 23 (2nd) 23 (2nd) 23 (2nd) 23 (2nd) 23 (2nd) 23 (2nd) N/A N/A N/A Rebels 0 (12th) 0 (13th) 4 (10th) 4 (11th) 8 (9th) 13 (9th) 13 (9th) 13 (9th) 13 (9th) 13 (9th) 13 (9th) 13 (9th) 13 (9th) 13 (9th) 13 (9th) 13 (9th) 13 (9th) 13 (9th) N/A N/A N/A Reds 1 (8th)2 (11th) 2 (13th) 7 (9th) 7 (10th) 8 (10th) 13 (10th) 13 (10th) 13 (10th) 13 (10th) 13 (10th) 13 (10th) 13 (10th) 13 (10th) 13 (10th) 13 (10th) 13 (10th) 13 (10th) N/A N/A N/A Sunwolves 4 (3rd) 4 (8th) 4 (11th) 4 (13th) 4 (14th) 4 (15th) 4 (15th) 4 (15th) 4 (15th) 4 (15th) 4 (15th) 4 (15th) 4 (15th) 4 (15th) 4 (15th) 4 (15th) 4 (15th) 4 (15th) N/A N/A N/A Waratahs 0 (13th) 0 (15th) 0 (15th) 0 (15th) 5 (12th) 5 (14th) 5 (14th) 5 (14th) 5 (14th) 5 (14th) 5 (14th) 5 (14th) 5 (14th) 5 (14th) 5 (14th) 5 (14th) 5 (14th) 5 (14th) N/A N/A N/A Team Progression – New Zealand Conference Team R1 R2 R3 R4 R5 R6 R7 R8 R9 R10 R11 R12 R13 R14 R15 R16 R17 R18 QF SF Final Blues 0 (10th) 5 (6th) 5 (8th) 9 (7th) 13 (8th) 17 (6th) 22 (4th) 22 (4th) 22 (4th) 22 (4th) 22 (4th) 22 (4th) 22 (4th) 22 (4th) 22 (4th) 22 (4th) 22 (4th) 22 (4th) N/A N/A N/A Chiefs 4 (6th) 8 (2nd) 13 (1st) 13 (4th) 13 (7th) 18 (2nd) 19 (5th) 19 (5th) 19 (5th) 19 (5th) 19 (5th) 19 (5th) 19 (5th) 19 (5th) 19 (5th) 19 (5th) 19 (5th) 19 (5th) N/A N/A N/A Crusaders 5 (2nd) 5 (7th) 9 (5th) 14 (2nd) 14 (2nd) 18 (4th) 23 (3rd) 23 (3rd) 23 (3rd) 23 (3rd) 23 (3rd) 23 (3rd) 23 (3rd) 23 (3rd) 23 (3rd) 23 (3rd) 23 (3rd) 23 (3rd) N/A N/A N/A Highlanders 0 (9th) 0 (14th) 4 (12th) 4 (12th) 5 (13th) 5 (13th) 7 (11th) 7 (11th) 7 (11th) 7 (11th) 7 (11th) 7 (11th) 7 (11th) 7 (11th) 7 (11th) 7 (11th) 7 (11th) 7 (11th) N/A N/A N/A Hurricanes 0 (14th) 4 (10th) 8 (7th) 8 (8th) 13 (6th) 13 (8th) 17 (6th) 17 (6th) 17 (6th) 17 (6th) 17 (6th) 17 (6th) 17 (6th) 17 (6th) 17 (6th) 17 (6th) 17 (6th) 17 (6th) N/A N/A N/A Team Progression – South African Conference Team R1 R2 R3 R4 R5 R6 R7 R8 R9 R10 R11 R12 R13 R14 R15 R16 R17 R18 QF SF Final Bulls 0 (11th) 0 (12th) 0 (14th) 1 (14th) 1 (15th) 6 (11th) 6 (12th) 6 (12th) 6 (12th) 6 (12th) 6 (12th) 6 (12th) 6 (12th) 6 (12th) 6 (12th) 6 (12th) 6 (12th) 6 (12th) N/A N/A N/A Jaguares 5 (1st) 6 (5th) 10 (4th) 10 (6th) 15 (5th) 15 (7th) 17 (8th) 17 (8th) 17 (8th) 17 (8th) 17 (8th) 17 (8th) 17 (8th) 17 (8th) 17 (8th) 17 (8th) 17 (8th) 17 (8th) N/A N/A N/A Lions 0 (15th) 4 (9th) 5 (9th) 5 (10th) 5 (11th) 5 (12th) 5 (13th) 5 (13th) 5 (13th) 5 (13th) 5 (13th) 5 (13th) 5 (13th) 5 (13th) 5 (13th) 5 (13th) 5 (13th) 5 (13th) N/A N/A N/A Sharks 4 (5th) 8 (4th) 8 (6th) 12 (5th) 16 (4th) 20 (1st) 24 (1st) 24 (1st) 24 (1st) 24 (1st) 24 (1st) 24 (1st) 24 (1st) 24 (1st) 24 (1st) 24 (1st) 24 (1st) 24 (1st) N/A N/A N/A Stormers 5 (4th) 9 (1st) 13 (2nd) 17 (1st) 17 (1st) 17 (5th) 17 (7th) 17 (7th) 17 (7th) 17 (7th) 17 (7th) 17 (7th) 17 (7th) 17 (7th) 17 (7th) 17 (7th) 17 (7th) 17 (7th) N/A N/A N/A Key: Win Draw Loss Bye Cancelled Postponed
Matches
The fixtures for the 2020 Super Rugby competition were released on 10 September 2019.
Players Squads The following 2020 Super Rugby squads have been named:
+ squad Forwards Aaron Carroll • Gerard Cowley-Tuioti • Kurt Eklund • Blake Gibson • Josh Goodhue • Alex Hodgman • Akira Ioane • Tony Lamborn • Ezekiel Lindenmuth • Sione Mafileo • Ray Niuia • Dalton Papalii • James Parsons • Jacob Pierce • Marcel Renata • Tom Robinson • Hoskins Sotutu • Luteru Tolai • Karl Tu'inukuafe • Patrick Tuipulotu • Ofa Tu'ungafasi • Joe Walsh • Did not play • Sam Caird • Waimana Riedlinger-Kapa • James Tucker Backs Otere Black • Matt Duffie • TJ Faiane • Jordan Hyland • Rieko Ioane • Joe Marchant • Emoni Narawa • Sam Nock • Stephen Perofeta • Harry Plummer • Jonathan Ruru • Mark Tele'a • Did not play • Beauden Barrett • Finlay Christie • Caleb Clarke • Jack Heighton • Jared Page • Tanielu Teleʻa Coach Leon MacDonald
+ squad Forwards Allan Alaalatoa • Tom Cusack • Murray Douglas • Folau Fainga'a • Nick Frost • Harry Lloyd • Lachlan Lonergan • Lachlan McCaffrey • Connal McInerney • Will Miller • Cadeyrn Neville • Tom Ross • Pete Samu • Scott Sio • James Slipper • Darcy Swain • Rob Valetini • Did not play • Jahrome Brown • Blake Enever • Shambeckler Vui Backs Tom Banks • Len Ikitau • Solomone Kata • Bayley Kuenzle • Tevita Kuridrani • Noah Lolesio • Ryan Lonergan • Andy Muirhead • Reesjan Pasitoa • Joe Powell • Toni Pulu • Irae Simone • Tom Wright • Did not play • Issak Fines • Mack Hansen • Guy Porter Coach Dan McKellar
+ squad Forwards Corniel Els • Andries Ferreira • Lizo Gqoboka • Johan Grobbelaar • Ian Groenewald • Wiehahn Herbst • Juandré Kruger • Simphiwe Matanzima • Abongile Nonkontwana • Ruan Nortjé • Trevor Nyakane • Ryno Pieterse • Jeandré Rudolph • Gerhard Steenekamp • Ruan Steenkamp • Josh Strauss • Muller Uys • Marco van Staden • Jaco Visagie • Wian Vosloo • Did not play • Tim Agaba • Dayan van der Westhuizen • Louis van der Westhuizen Backs Warrick Gelant • Cornal Hendricks • Marco Jansen van Vuren • Johnny Kôtze • Manie Libbok • Burger Odendaal • Embrose Papier • Divan Rossouw • Rosko Specman • Morné Steyn • Nafi Tuitavake • Ivan van Zyl • Did not play • Richard Kriel • Franco Naudé • Marnus Potgieter • Dylan Sage • Chris Smith • Jade Stighling Coach Pote Human
+ squad Forwards Naitoa Ah Kuoi • Michael Allardice • Tyler Ardron • Lachlan Boshier • Mitchell Brown • Sam Cane • Ryan Coxon • Ross Geldenhuys • Luke Jacobson • Mitchell Karpik • Nepo Laulala • Donald Maka • Atu Moli • Dylan Nel • Ollie Norris • Reuben O'Neill • Aidan Ross • Bradley Slater • Pita Gus Sowakula • Angus Ta'avao • Samisoni Taukei'aho • Adam Thomson • Did not play • Rob Cobb • Laghlan McWhannell • James Thompson • Tupou Vaa'i Backs Solomon Alaimalo • Aaron Cruden • Tiaan Falcon • Orbyn Leger • Anton Lienert-Brown • Tumua Manu • Damian McKenzie • Sam McNicol • Lisati Milo-Harris • Alex Nankivell • Shaun Stevenson • Te Toiroa Tahuriorangi • Kaleb Trask • Quinn Tupaea • Sean Wainui • Brad Weber • Did not play • Leroy Carter • Kini Naholo • Etene Nanai-Seturo • Bailyn Sullivan Coach Warren Gatland
+ squad Forwards Michael Alaalatoa • Scott Barrett • George Bower • Tom Christie • Whetu Douglas • Mitchell Dunshea • Cullen Grace • Sione Havili • Oliver Jager • Andrew Makalio • Brodie McAlister • Joe Moody • Hugh Roach • Luke Romano • Ethan Roots • Tom Sanders • Codie Taylor • Matt Todd • Isi Tu'ungafasi • Did not play • Harry Allan • Ethan Blackadder • Billy Harmon • Quinten Strange Backs George Bridge • Fergus Burke • Brett Cameron • Mitchell Drummond • Ere Enari • Braydon Ennor • Leicester Fainga'anuku • Jack Goodhue • Bryn Hall • David Havili • Will Jordan • Manasa Mataele • Dallas McLeod • Richie Mo'unga • Sevu Reece • Did not play • Inga Finau • Fetuli Paea Coach Scott Robertson
+ squad Forwards Teariki Ben-Nicholas • Liam Coltman • Josh Dickson • Ash Dixon • Shannon Frizell • Jackson Hemopo • Dillon Hunt • Josh Iosefa-Scott • Ayden Johnstone • James Lentjes • Daniel Lienert-Brown • Marino Mikaele-Tu'u • Conán O'Donnell • Jesse Parete • Pari Pari Parkinson • Manaaki Selby-Rickit • Jeff Thwaites • Siate Tokolahi • Jack Whetton • Did not play • Ethan de Groot • Zane Kapeli • Slade McDowall • Sione Misiloi • Will Tucker • Nathan Vella Backs Michael Collins • Tima Fainga'anuku • Scott Gregory • Kayne Hammington • Mitchell Hunt • Josh Ioane • Kirisi Kuridrani • Josh McKay • Jona Nareki • Ngane Punivai • Aaron Smith • Rob Thompson • Sio Tomkinson • Teihorangi Walden • Did not play • Folau Fakatava • Bryn Gatland • Tevita Nabura • Thomas Umaga-Jensen Coach Aaron Mauger