The Blues and Highlanders get things going at 08:35 on Friday the 26th of February. The Brumbies and Hurricanes then play the brunch game at 10:40, before the Cheetahs take on the new side from Argentina in the pub game at 19:00. Below a look at all the announced 2016 Super Rugby squads, pre-season friendlies, fixtures and player transfers:
BULLS:
Forwards: Trevor Nyakane, Pierre Schoeman, Lizo Gqoboka, Dean Greyling, Nqoba Mxoli, Morne Mellett, Marcel van der Merwe, Werner Kruger, Dayan van der Westhuizen, Entienne Swanepoel. Adriaan Strauss, Bandise Maku, Corniel Els, Jaco Visagie, Callie Visagie. RG Snyman, Jason Jenkins, Jannes Kirsten, Marvin Orie, Nicholaas Janse van Rensburg, Le Roux Roets, Irne Herbst, Grant Hattingh. Lappies Labuschagne, Roelof Smit, Ruan Steenkamp, Deon Stegmann, Freddy Ngoza, Nick de Jager, Arno Botha, Clyde Davids, Hanro Liebenberg.
Backs: Rudy Paige, Ivan van Zyl, Piet van Zyl. Tian Schoeman, Francois Brummer, Joshua Stander, Handre Pollard. Burger Odendaal, Jan Serfontein, Daniel Kriel, JT Jackson, Dries Swanepoel, JJ Engelbrecht, Jesse Kriel. Jamba Ulengo, Jade Stigling, Kafense Mahlo, Travis Ismaiel, Luther Obi, Bjorn Basson. Duncan Matthews, Divan Rossouw, Warrick Gelant.
Players in: Lizo Gqoboka (from the Kings), Nick de Jager (from England Saracens), Francois Brummer (from Cheetahs), Luther Obi (from the Kings)
Players out: Andrew Beerwinkel (released), Hencus van Wyk (to Japan Munakata Sanix Blues), Victor Matfield (to England Northampton Saints), Flip van der Merwe (to France Clermont), Jacques du Plessis (to France Montpellier), Wiaan Liebenberg (to France Montpellier), Nardus van der Walt (to Griquas), Jacques Engelbrecht (released), Pierre Spies (to Japan Kintetsu Liners), Francois Hougaard (to S.A. Sevens), Jacques-Louis Potgieter (to France Lyon), Ryan Nell (released), William Small-Smith (to Cheetahs), Akona Ndungane (retired), Jurgen Visser (to Kings).
CHEETAHS:
Justin Basson, Rayno Benjamin, Clayton Blommetjies, Tienie Burger, Willie Britz, Aranos Coetzee, Luan de Bruin, Lood de Jager, Maphutha Dolo, Jacques du Toit, Joseph Dweba, Sias Ebersohn, Joubert Engelbrecht, Reinhardt Erwee, Elandre Huggett, Reniel Hugo, Niell Jordaan, Armandt Koster, Tertius Kruger, Nico Lee, Hilton Lobberts, Niel Marias, Steven Meiring, Tian Meyer, Danie Mienie, Zee Mkhabela, Oupa Mohoje, Uzair Cassiem, Teunis Nieuwoudt, Gerhard Olivier, Sergeal Petersen, Boom Prinsloo, Niel Rautenbach, Raymond Rhule, Willem Serfontein, Paul Schoeman, William Small-Smith, JP Smith, BG Uys, Francois Uys, Michael van der Spuy, Maks van Dyk, Torsten van Jaarsveld, Ruan van Rensburg, Coenie van Wyk, Francois Venter, Henco Venter, Shaun Venter, Dennis Visser, Carl Wegner, Fred Zeilinga
Players in: Aranos Coetzee (from Brive), Neil Rautenbach (from Stormers), Paul Schoeman (from the Kings), Sias Ebersohn (from Australia Force), Fred Zeilinga (from Sharks), William Small-Smith (from Bulls).
Players out: Dolph Botha (released), Caylib Oosthuizen (to Kings), Coenie Oosthuizen (to Sharks), Ewald van der Westhuizen (to Griquas), Martin Bezuidenhout (released), Stephan Coetzee (released), Steven Sykes (to Kings), Jonathan Adendorf (to Griquas), Heinrich Brüssow (to Japan NTT Docomo Red Hurricanes), Carel Greeff (to Kings), Jean Cook (to Italy Zebre), Renier Botha (released), Sarel Pretorius (to Wales Newport Gwent Dragons), Francois Brummer (to Bulls), Willie du Plessis (to France Toulon), Joe Pietersen (to Sharks), Elgar Watts (to Kings), Johann Sadie (to France Agen), Danie Dames (released), Cornal Hendricks (to Stormers), Willie le Roux (to Sharks).
KINGS: TBA
Players in: Schalk Ferreira (from France Toulouse), Caylib Oosthuizen (from Cheetahs), James Hilterbrand (from Scotland Edinburgh), Carel Greeff (from Cheetahs), Mark Richards (from Lions), Louis Fouché (from Blue Bulls), JC Roos (from Pumas), Elgar Watts (from Cheetahs), Stefan Watermeyer (from Pumas), SP Marais (from Sharks), Jurgen Visser (from Bulls)
Players out: N/A
LIONS:
Andries Coetzee, JW Bell, Ruan Combrink, Lloyd Greeff, Courtnall Skosan, Sampie Mastriet, Anthony Volmink, Koch Marx, Selom Gavor, Rohan Janse van Rensburg, Stokkies Hanekom, Howard Mnisi, Harold Vorster, Lionel Mapoe, Jacques Nel, Gerdus van der Walt, Marnitz Boshoff, Jako van der Walt, Elton Jantjes, Ashlon Davids, Ross Cronjé, Faf de Klerk, Ricky Schroeder, Dillon Smit, Marco van Vuren, Warren Whiteley, Fabian Booysen, Ruaan Lerm, Jano Venter, Steph de Wit, Jaco Kriel, Derick Minnie, Warwick Tecklenburg, Ruan Ackermann, Cyle Brink, Victor Sekekete, Robert Kruger, Lourens Erasmus, MB Lusaseni, Franco Mostert, Martin Muller, JP du Preez, Andries Ferreira, Bobby de Wee, Robbie Coetzee, Malcolm Marx, Akker van der Merwe, Ramone Samuels, Jacques van Rooyen, Dylan Smith, Corné Fourie, Julian Redelinghuys, Ruan Dreyer, Justin Ackerman, Pieter Scholtz
Players in: JW Bell (from Pumas), Faf de Klerk (from Pumas)
Players out: Schalk van der Merwe (to France Montpellier), Mark Pretorius (released), Kwagga Smith (to S.A. Sevens), Lohan Jacobs (released), Alwyn Hollenbach (retired), Mark Richards (to Kings).
SHARKS:
Forwards: Aaron Schramm, Barend Potgieter, Christiaan de Bruin, Coenie Oosthuizen, Dale Chadwick, David McDuling, Etienne Oosthuizen, Franco Marais, Francois Kleinhans, Gerhard Engelbrecht, Hyron Andrews, Jean Deysel, Kyle Cooper, Beast Mtawarira, Lubabalo Mtyanda, Monde Hadebe, Mzamo Majola, Philip van der Walt, Ruan Botha, Sias Koen, Thomas du Toit, Daniel du Preez, Jean-Luc du Preez, Juan Schoeman, Khaya Majola, Lourens Adriaanse, Stephan Lewies, Tera Mtembu, Marcell Coetzee, Jacques Potgieter and Renaldo Bothma.
Backs: André Esterhuizen, Cobus Reinach, Garth April, Heimar Williams, Innocent Radebe, Joe Pietersen, Johan Deysel, Lukhanyo Am, Lwazi Mvovo, Marius Louw, Michael Claassens, Odwa Ndungane, Pat Lambie, Paul Jordaan, Sibusiso Nkosi, S’bura Sithole, Stefan Ungerer, Wandile Mjekevu, Conrad Hoffmann, Willie le Roux, JP Pietersen.
Players in: Coenie Oosthuizen (from Cheetahs), Chiliboy Ralepelle (unattached), Ruan Botha (from Stormers), David McDuling (from Australia Reds), Jacques Potgieter (from Australia Waratahs), Philip van der Walt (from France Biarritz), Wandile Mjekevu (from France Perpignan), Willie le Roux (from Cheetahs), Joe Pietersen (from Cheetahs)
Players out: Jannie du Plessis (to France Montpellier), Matt Stevens (to France Toulon), Bismarck du Plessis (to France Montpellier), Mouritz Botha (to England Newcastle Falcons), Pieter-Steph du Toit (to Stormers), Marco Wentzel (released), Willem Alberts (to France Stade Français), Ryan Kankowski (to S.A. Sevens), Cameron Wright (to France Montpellier), Lionel Cronjé (released), Fred Zeilinga (to Cheetahs), Waylon Murray (released), François Steyn (to France Montpellier), Paul Perez (released), Jack Wilson (to New Zealand Otago), SP Marais (to Kings).
STORMERS: TBA
Players in: JC Janse van Rensburg (from France Bayonne), JP Smith (from Australia Brumbies), Pieter-Steph du Toit (from Sharks), Jano Vermaak (from France Toulouse), Cornal Hendricks (from Cheetahs)
Players out: Steven Kitshoff (to France Bordeaux), Neil Rautenbach (to Cheetahs), Ruan Botha (to Sharks), Manuel Carizza (to France Racing 92), Michael Rhodes (to England Saracens), Duane Vermeulen (to France Toulon), Demetri Catrakilis (to France Montpellier), Jean de Villiers (to England Leicester Tigers), Patrick Howard (to England Northampton Saints)
Known pre-season friendlies:
Feb 6: Bulls vs Cheetahs (Zimbabwe)
Feb 13: Bulls vs Lions (Peter Mokaba Stadium, Polokwane)
CLICK HERE for a full list of the 2016 Super Rugby fixtures.
The New Zealand squads:
CRUSADERS:
Michael Ala’alatoa, Scott Barrett, Jed Brown (medical exemption), Tim Boys, Wyatt Crockett, Ryan Crotty, Israel Dagg (medical exemption), Mitchell Drummond, Andy Ellis, Sione Fifita, Kieron Fonotia, Owen Franks, Robbie Fruean, Ben Funnell, Jack Goodhue (medical exemption), David Havili, Mitchell Hunt, Alex Hodgman, Nemani Nadolo, Jone Macilai, Marty Mckenzie, Johnny McNicholl, Joe Moody, Richie Mo’unga, Tim Perry (medical exemption), Kieran Read, Luke Romano, Ged Robinson, Pete Samu, Jordan Taufua, Codie Taylor, Matt Todd, Jimmy Tupou, Ben Volavola, Sean Wainui, Sam Whitelock
HIGHLANDERS:
Alex Ainley, Marty Banks, Richard Buckman, Shane Christie, Liam Coltman, Ash Dixon, Elliot Dixon, Brendon Edmonds, Jason Emery, Matt Faddes, Malakai Fekitoa, Gareth Evans, Tom Franklin, Ross Geldenhuys, Siosiua Halanukonuka, Jackson Hemopo, Josh Hohneck, Daniel Lienert-Brown, James Lentjes, Craig Millar, Waisake Naholo, Patrick Osborne, Hayden Parker, Greg Pleasants-Tate, Dan Pryor, Mark Reddish, Josh Renton, Ben Smith, Aaron Smith, Lima Sopoaga, Liam Squire, Fumiaki Tanaka, Rob Thompson, Patelesio Tomkinson, Ryan Tongia, Teihorangi Walden, Luke Whitelock, Joe Wheeler
HURRICANES:
Mark Abbott, Pita Ahki, Leni Apisai, Vince Aso, Beauden Barrett, Otere Black, James Broadhurst, Dane Coles, Geoffrey Cridge, Chris Eves, Michael Fatialofa, Vaea Fifita, Callum Gibbins, Jamison Gibson-Park, Reggie Goodes, Willis Halaholo, Iopu Iopu-Aso, Cory Jane, Tony Lamborn, Ngani Laumape, Christian Lloyd, James Marshall, Motu Matu’u , Ben May, Nehe Milner-Skudder, TJ Perenara, Matt Proctor, Hugh Renton, Hisa Sasagi, Ardie Savea, Julian Savea, Brad Shields, Te Toiroa Tahuriorangi, Blade Thomson, Jeffery Toomaga-Allen, Loni Uhila, TJ Va’a, Victor Vito, Jason Woodward
BLUES:
Josh Bekhuis, Dan Bowden, Matt Duffie, Joe Edwards, TJ Faiane, Charlie Faumuina, Piers Francis, Blake Gibson, Billy Guyton, Bryn Hall, Akira Ioane, Rieko Ioane, Jerome Kaino, Ben Lam, Tevita Li, Michael Little, Steven Luatua, Quentin MacDonald, Matt McGahan, Sione Mafileo, Hoani Matenga, Nic Mayhew, George Moala, Matt Moulds, Melani Nanai, Sam Nock, James Parsons, Sam Prattley, Kara Pryor, Rene Ranger, Jack Ram, Scott Scrafton, Jordan Trainor, Gerrard Tuioti-Mariner, Patrick Tuipulotu, Ofa Tu’ungafasi, Lolagi Visinia, Namatahi Waa, Ihaia West
CHIEFS:
Michael Allardice, Johan Bardoul, Dominic Bird, Sam Cane, Stephen Donald, Aaron Cruden, Hika Elliot, Glen Fisiiahi, Siegfried Fisiihoi, Mitchell Graham, Nathan Harris, Andrew Horrell, Mitchell Karpik, Tawera Kerr-Barlow, Tevita Koloamatangi, Nepo Laulala, Michael Leitch, Anton Lienert-Brown, James Lowe, Pauliasi Manu, Rhys Marshall, Damian McKenzie, Sam McNicol, Atu Moli, Charlie Ngatai, Augustine Pulu, Toni Pulu, Brodie Retallick, Tom Sanders, Teleni Seu, Shaun Stevenson, Seta Tamanivalu, Chase Tiatia, Siate Tokolahi, James Tucker, Ma’ama Vaipulu, Latu Vaeno, Sam Vaka, Brad Weber, Sonny Bill Williams
The Australian squads:
REDS:
Forwards: Ben Daley, Sef Fa’agase, Saia Fainga’a, Greg Holmes, Pettowa Paraka, Andrew Ready, James Slipper, Sam Talakai, Taniela Tupou, Kane Douglas, Cadeyrn Neville, Rob Simmons, Lukhan Tui, Curtis Browning, Lolo Fakaosilea, Liam Gill, Michael Gunn, Adam Korczyk, Jake Schatz, Hendrik Tui.
Backs: Nick Frisby, Scott Gale, Sam Greene, Jake McIntyre, James Tuttle, Anthony Fainga’a, Karmichael Hunt, Samu Kerevi, Duncan Paia’aua, Lagi Setu, Chris Feauai-Sautia, Ayumu Goromaru, Chris Kuridrani, Junior Laloifi, Campbell Magnay, Eto Nabuli, Izaia Perese, Jamie-Jerry Taulagi.
The Japanese and Argentinian squads:
LOS JAGUARES:
Matías Alemanno, Gabriel Ascárate, Rodrigo Báez, Emiliano Boffelli, Santiago Cordero, Agustín Creevy, Juan Cruz Guillemaín, Jerónimo de la Fuente, Santiago García Botta, Santiago González Iglesias, Ramiro Herrera, Facundo Isa, Martín Landajo, Tomás Lavanini, Tomás Lezana, Juan Manuel Leguizamón, Juan Martín Hernández, Manuel Montero, Julián Montoya, Matías Moroni, Ramiro Moyano, Lucas Noguera Paz, Matías Orlando, Javier Ortega Desio, Guido Petti, Nicolás Sánchez, Leonardo Senatore, Nahuel Tetaz Chaparro, Joaquín Tuculet.
CLICK HERE for a full list of all the known 2016 player transfers.