1997 Super 12 season

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1997 Super 12
Countries Australia
 South Africa
 New Zealand
Tournament format(s)Round-robin and knockout
ChampionsNew Zealand Auckland Blues (2nd title)
Matches played69
Top point scorer(s)South Africa Gavin Lawless (170)
(Sharks)
Top try scorer(s)Australia Joe Roff (16)
(ACT Brumbies)
1996 (Previous) (Next) 1998

The 1997 Super 12 season was the second season of the Super 12, contested by rugby union teams from Australia, New Zealand and South Africa. The season ran from 28 February to 31 May 1997, with each team playing all the others once. At the end of the regular season, the top four teams entered the play-off semi-finals, with the first-placed team playing the fourth and the second-placed team playing the third. The winner of each semi-final qualified for the final, which was contested by the Auckland Blues and the ACT Brumbies at Eden Park, Auckland. The Blues won 23–7 to win their second Super 12 title.

While the three Australian and five New Zealand teams remained the same as the 1996 season, the South African teams made changes. Transvaal, after the changes of the political landscape of South Africa, became known as the Gauteng Lions, while Western Province, after not making the top four of the 1996 Currie Cup, were replaced by Free State of Bloemfontein.

Table[edit]

     Top four teams advance to playoffs
Pos. Team Pld W D L PF PA PD BP Pts
1 New Zealand Auckland Blues 11 10 1 0 435 283 152 8 50
2 Australia ACT Brumbies 11 8 0 3 406 291 115 9 41
3 New Zealand Wellington Hurricanes 11 6 0 5 416 314 102 10 34
4 South Africa Sharks 11 5 2 4 321 350 −29 6 30
5 South Africa Gauteng Lions 11 5 1 5 302 346 −44 6 28
6 New Zealand Canterbury Crusaders 11 5 1 5 272 235 37 4 26
7 South Africa Free State 11 5 0 6 301 327 −26 5 25
8 South Africa Northern Transvaal 11 3 3 5 264 342 −78 4 22
9 Australia NSW Waratahs 11 4 0 7 255 296 −41 4 20
10 Australia Queensland Reds 11 4 0 7 263 318 −55 4 20
11 New Zealand Waikato Chiefs 11 4 0 7 272 295 −23 3 19
12 New Zealand Otago Highlanders 11 3 0 8 299 409 −110 5 17

Points breakdown:

  • 4 points for a win
  • 2 points for a draw
  • 1 bonus point for a loss by seven points or less
  • 1 bonus point for scoring four or more tries in a match

The playoffs follow a 1 v 4, 2 v 3 system with the highest placed team at home

Regular season[edit]

Round 1[edit]

28 February 1997 Wellington Hurricanes New Zealand 18–23 New Zealand Waikato Chiefs The Showgrounds, Palmerston North  
Try: Jarrod Cunnigham
Tana Umaga
Con: Jon Preston
Pen: Jon Preston (2)
Scoreboard[1] Try: Eric Rush
Glen Osborne
Walter Little
Con: Matthew Cooper
Pen: Matthew Cooper (2)
Referee: Colin Hawke (New Zealand)


1 March 1997 Queensland Reds Australia 19–24 Australia ACT Brumbies Ballymore Stadium, Brisbane  
Try: Tim Horan (2)
Barry Lea
Con: John Eales (2)
Scoreboard[2] Try: Adam Magro
Pat Howard
Stephen Larkham
Con: David Knox (3)
Pen: David Knox
Attendance: 15,100
Referee: Peter Marshall (Australia)


1 March 1997 Northern Transvaal South Africa 40–40 New Zealand Auckland Blues Loftus Versfeld, Pretoria  
Try: Adriaan Richter (3)
Henry Tromp
Con: Theo Van Rensburg (4)
Pen: Theo Van Rensburg (4)
Scoreboard[3] Try: Brian Lima (2)
Carlos Spencer (2)
Adrian Cashmore
Con: Adrian Cashmore (3)
Pen: Adrian Cashmore (3)
Attendance: 20,000
Referee: André Watson (South Africa)


2 March 1997 Free State South Africa 20–24 South Africa Gauteng Lions Free State Stadium, Bloemfontein  
Try: André Venter
Stephen Brink
Con: MJ Smith
Pen: MJ Smith
Scoreboard[4] Try: Gavin Johnson
Hannes Strydom
Con: Gavin Johnson
Pen: Gavin Johnson
Johan Roux (3)

Round 2[edit]

7 March 1997 Free State South Africa 15–24 New Zealand Auckland Blues Free State Stadium, Bloemfontein  
Pen: Jannie de Beer Scoreboard[5] Try: Joeli Vidiri
Ofisa Tonu'u
Con: Adrian Cashmore
Pen: Adrian Cashmore (4)
Referee: Tappe Henning (South Africa)
7 March 1997 Canterbury Crusaders New Zealand 19–17 New Zealand Wellington Hurricanes Lancaster Park, Christchurch  
Try: James Kerr
Con: Daryl Lilley
Pen: Daryl Lilley (4)
Scoreboard[6] Try: Alama Ieremia
Jon Preston
Con: Jon Preston (2)
Pen: Jon Preston
Referee: Paddy O'Brien (New Zealand)
8 March 1997 NSW Waratahs Australia 26–33 New Zealand Waikato Chiefs Sydney Football Stadium, Sydney  
Try: Matt Burke
Richard Harry
Con: Matt Burke (2)
Pen: Matt Burke (4)
Scoreboard[7] Try: Eric Rush (2)
Errol Brain
Con: Matthew Cooper (3)
Pen: Matthew Cooper (4)
Referee: Andrew Cole (Australia)
8 March 1997 Sharks South Africa 75–43 New Zealand Otago Highlanders Kings Park Stadium, Durban  
Try: Gavin Lawless (4)
Jozuzi Joubert (2)
Henry Honiball
Jeremy Thomson
John Allan
Con: Gavin Lawless (9)
Pen: Gavin Lawless (4)
Scoreboard[8] Try: Jeff Wilson
Kees Meeuws
Lio Falaniko
Manassa Bari
Romi Ropati
Tony Brown
Con: Tony Brown (5)
Pen: Tony Brown
Referee: André Watson (South Africa)
8 March 1997 Northern Transvaal South Africa 14–3 Australia Queensland Reds Loftus Versfeld, Pretoria  
Try: Joost Van der Westhuizen (2)
Con: Theo Van Rensburg (2)
Scoreboard[9] Pen: John Eales Attendance: 15,000
Referee: Ian Rogers (South Africa)
9 March 1997 Gauteng Lions South Africa 44–36 Australia ACT Brumbies Ellis Park, Johannesburg  
Try: Hennie le Roux
Ian McDonald
Japie Mulder
Joe Gillingham
Johan Roux
Con: Gavin Johnson (5)
Pen: Gavin Johnson (3)
Scoreboard[10] Try: Stephen Larkham (2)
George Gregan
Joe Roff
Pat Howard
Con: David Knox (4)
Pen: David Knox
Attendance: 12,000

Round 3[edit]

14 March 1997 Gauteng Lions South Africa 47–29 New Zealand Otago Highlanders Ellis Park, Johannesburg  
Try: Andre Vos
Gavin Johnson (2)
Jannie van der Walt
Kobus Wiese
Con: Gavin Johnson (5)
Pen: Gavin Johnson (4)
Try: Jeff Wilson
Manassa Bari
Romi Ropati
Taine Randell
Con: Tony Brown (3)
Pen: Tony Brown
Referee: Tappe Henning (South Africa)
14 March 1997 NSW Waratahs Australia 25–8 New Zealand Canterbury Crusaders Sydney Football Stadium, Sydney  
Try: Daniel Manu (2)
Pen: Matt Burke (5)
Try: Daryl Lilley
Pen: Daryl Lilley
Attendance: 22,000
15 March 1997 Free State South Africa 35–24 Australia Queensland Reds Free State Stadium, Bloemfontein  
Try: Charl van Rensburg
Jan-Harm van Wyk
Werner Swanepoel
Con: Jannie de Beer
Pen: Jannie de Beer (5)
Drop: Jannie de Beer
Try: Dan Crowley
Jason Little
Shane Drahm
Con: John Eales (3)
Drop: Shane Drahm
Referee: Carl Spannenberg (South Africa)
15 March 1997 Waikato Chiefs New Zealand 16–26 New Zealand Auckland Blues North Harbour Stadium, Albany  
Try: Scott McLeod
Con: Bruce Reihana
Pen: Bruce Reihana (2)
Matt Cooper
Try: Joeli Vidiri
Zinzan Brooke
Penalty try
Con: Carlos Spencer
Pen: Carlos Spencer (2)
Drop: Carlos Spencer
Attendance: 25,000
Referee: Paddy O'Brien (New Zealand)
16 March 1997 Sharks South Africa 35–26 Australia ACT Brumbies ABSA Stadium, Durban  
Try: Joos Joubert (3)
Walter Minnaar
Con: Gavin Lawless (3)
Pen: Gavin Lawless (3)
Try: Joe Roff
John Langford
Marco Caputo
Stephen Larkham
Con: Joe Roff (3)
Referee: Johann Meuwesen (South Africa)
16 March 1997 Wellington Hurricanes New Zealand 64–32 South Africa Northern Transvaal Yarrow Stadium, New Plymouth  
Try: Finau Maka
Mark Allen
Martin Leslie (2)
Norm Hewitt
Tana Umaga (3)
Con: Jarrod Cunningham
Jon Preston (5)
Pen: Jon Preston (4)
Try: Penalty try
FA Meiring
Johan Otto
Schutte Bekker
Con: Theo van Rensburg (3)
Pen: Theo van Rensburg (2)
Referee: Paul Honiss (New Zealand)

Round 4[edit]

22 March 1997 Otago Highlanders New Zealand 27–7 South Africa Northern Transvaal Carisbrook, Dunedin  
Try: Jeff Wilson
Pailate Fili
Con: Simon Culhane
Pen: Simon Culhane (5)
Try: Ruben Kruger
Con: Dirkie Nortje
Referee: Steve Walsh (New Zealand)
22 March 1997 Gauteng Lions South Africa 36–27 Australia NSW Waratahs Ellis Park, Johannesburg  
Try: Gavin Johnson
Johan Roux
Kobus Wiese
Con: Gavin Johnson (3)
Pen: Gavin Johnson (5)
Try: Alistair Murdoch
Fili Finau
Stuart Pinkerton
Con: Matt Burke (3)
Pen: Matt Burke (2)
Attendance: 22,636
Referee: André Watson (South Africa)
22 March 1997 Waikato Chiefs New Zealand 31–16 Australia Queensland Reds Waikato Stadium, Hamilton  
Try: Bruce Reihana
Dion Matthews
Matt Cooper
Con: Matt Cooper (2)
Pen: Matt Cooper (4)
Try: Ben Tune
Con: John Eales
Pen: John Eales (3)
Referee: Colin Hawke (New Zealand)
22 March 1997 ACT Brumbies Australia 49–29 New Zealand Canterbury Crusaders Canberra Stadium, Canberra  
Try: George Gregan
Ipolito Fenukitau (3)
John Langford
Mitch Hardy
Con: David Knox (2)
Pen: David Knox (4)
Drop: David Knox
Try: James Kerr
Paula Bale
Scott Robertson
Tabai Matson (2)
Con: Leon MacDonald (2)
22 March 1997 Free State South Africa 45–40 South Africa Sharks Free State Stadium, Bloemfontein  
Try: Chris Badenhorst
Jaco Coetzee
Wybrand Els
Con: Jannie de Beer (2)
MJ Smith
Pen: Hendrik Jordaan Kruger
MJ Smith (7)
Try: Dirkie Strydom
Gary Teichmann
John Allan
Ollie Le Roux
Wayne Fyvie
Con: Gavin Laweless (3)
Pen: Gavin Lawless (3)
Referee: England Andy Turner

Round 5[edit]

28 March 1997 ACT Brumbies Australia 38–19 South Africa Northern Transvaal Canberra Stadium, Canberra  
Try: Joe Roff (3)
Mitch Hardy
Troy Coker
Con: David Knox (2)
Pen: David Knox (3)
Try: Jacques Olivier
Jannie Brooks
Kosie Jansen van Vuuren
Con: Theo van Rensburg
Attendance: 12,032
Referee: Andrew Cole (Australia)
29 March 1997 Canterbury Crusaders New Zealand 24–15 New Zealand Waikato Chiefs Fraser Park, Timaru  
Try: Daryl Gibson
Kevin Nepia
Con: Andrew Mehrtens
Pen: Andrew Mehrtens (3)
Drop: Andrew Mehrtens
Try: Paul Mitchell
Rhys Duggan
Con: Matt Cooper
Pen: Matt Cooper
Attendance: 8,500
Referee: Glen Wahlstrom (New Zealand)
29 March 1997 Gauteng Lions South Africa 35–37 New Zealand Wellington Hurricanes Ellis Park, Johannesburg  
Try: Dawie du Toit
Japie Mulder
Joe Gillingham
Piet Krause
Con: Gavin Johnson (3)
Pen: Gavin Johnson (3)
Try: Christian Cullen (2)
Jason O'Halloran
Con: Jon Preston (2)
Pen: Jon Preston (6)
Attendance: 20,000
Referee: Jonathan Kaplan (South Africa)
29 March 1997 Sharks South Africa 28–23 Australia NSW Waratahs ABSA Stadium, Durban  
Try: Kevin Putt
Con: Gavin Lawless
Pen: Gavin Lawless (7)
Try: David Campese
Richard Tombs
Con: Matt Burke (2)
Pen: Matt Burke (3)
Attendance: 39,300
Referee: Tappe Henning (South Africa)
30 March 1997 Otago Highlanders New Zealand 18–49 South Africa Free State Rugby Park Stadium, Invercargill  
Pen: Simon Culhane (6) Try: Chris Badenhorst (2)
Naka Drotské (2)
Os du Randt
Rassie Erasmus
Wybrand Els
Con: Jannie de Beer (7)
Referee: Colin Hawke (New Zealand)
31 March 1997 Auckland Blues New Zealand 49–26 Australia Queensland Reds Eden Park, Auckland  
Try: Andrew Blowers (2)
Brian Lima (2)
Carlos Spencer
Joeli Vidiri
Con: Adrian Cashmore (4)
Carlos Spencer
Pen: Adrian Cashmore (3)
Try: Jason Little
Matthew Pini
Con: John Eales (2)
Pen: John Eales (4)
Attendance: 33,000
Referee: Paddy O'Brien (South Africa)

Round 6[edit]

4 April 1997 Sharks South Africa 29–24 New Zealand Wellington Hurricanes ABSA Stadium, Durban  
Try: Penalty try
Geoff Appleford
Con: Gavin Lawless (2)
Pen: Gavin Lawless (5)
Try: Norm Hewitt
Stephen Bachop
Tana Umaga
Con: Jon Preston (3)
Pen: Jon Preston
Attendance: 40,303
Referee: André Watson (South Africa)
4 April 1997 ACT Brumbies Australia 50–23 South Africa Free State Canberra Stadium, Canberra  
Try: Brett Robinson
James Holbeck
Joe Roff (2)
Mitch Hardy
Stephen Larkham
Con: David Knox (4)
Pen: David Knox (4)
Try: Penalty try
Naka Drotské
Stephen Brink
Con: Jannie de Beer
Pen: Jannie de Beer (2)
Attendance: 14,196
Referee: Wayne Erickson (Australia)
4 April 1997 Auckland Blues New Zealand 29–28 New Zealand Canterbury Crusaders Growers Stadium, Pukekohe  
Try: Joeli Vidiri
Robin Brooke
Con: Adrian Cashmore (2)
Pen: Adrian Cashmore (5)
Try: Daryl Gibson
Daril Lilley
Kevin Nepia
Con: Adrew Mehrtens (2)
Pen: Andrew Mehrtens (3)
Referee: Steve Walsh (New Zealand)
5 April 1997 Queensland Reds Australia 37–24 New Zealand Otago Highlanders Ballymore Stadium, Brisbane  
Try: Ben Tune
Elton Flatley
Jason Little
Matt Cockbain
Con: John Eales (4)
Pen: John Eales (3)
Try: Penalty try
Jeff Wilson
Matt Carrington
Con: Simon Culhane (3)
Pen: Simon Culhane
Attendance: 15,000
Referee: Stuart Dickinson (Australia)
6 April 1997 NSW Waratahs Australia 43–29 South Africa Northern Transvaal Sydney Football Stadium, Sydney  
Try: Fili Finau
Graeme Bond
Matt Burke (3)
Con: Matt Burke (3)
Pen: Matt Burke (4)
Try: André Snyman (2)
Graeme Bouwer
Henry Tromp
Kosie Alberts
Con: Graeme Bouwer
Kosie Alberts
Attendance: 26,245
Referee: Andrew Cole (Australia)

Round 7[edit]

11 April 1997 Waikato Chiefs New Zealand 15–33 South Africa Sharks North Harbour Stadium, Albany  
Try: Glen Osborne
Glenn Taylor
Con: Blair Feeney
Pen: Blair Feeney
Try: Adrian Garvey (2)
Cabous van der Westhuisen
Con: Gavin Lawless (3)
Pen: Gavin Lawless (4)
Referee: Paddy O'Brien (New Zealand)
12 April 1997 Queensland Reds Australia 29–47 New Zealand Wellington Hurricanes Ballymore Stadium, Brisbane  
Try: Tim Horan
Willie Carne
Con: John Eales (2)
Pen: John Eales (5)
Try: Alex Telea (2)
Jason O'Halloran
Jon Preston
Stephen Bachop
Tana Umaga
Con: Jon Preston (4)
Pen: Jon Preston (3)
Attendance: 15,196
Referee: Stuart Dickinson (Australia)
12 April 1997 Gauteng Lions South Africa 16–16 South Africa Northern Transvaal Ellis Park, Johannesburg  
Try: Hennie le Roux
Con: Johan Roux
Pen: Gavin Johnson
Johan Roux (2)
Try: Graeme Bouwer
Jacques Olivier
Pen: Casper Steyn
Graeme Bouwer
Attendance: 34,370
Referee: Johann Meuwesen (South Africa)
12 April 1997 Otago Highlanders New Zealand 37–29 New Zealand Canterbury Crusaders Carisbrook, Dunedin  
Try: Anton Oliver
Manassa Bari (2)
Con: Tony Brown (2)
Pen: Tony Brown (5)
Drop: Tony Brown
Try: Daryl Lilley
Leon MacDonald
Con: Andrew Mehrtens (2)
Pen: Andrew Mehrtens (5)
Referee: Steve Walsh (New Zealand)
12 April 1997 NSW Waratahs Australia 36–11 South Africa Free State Sydney Football Stadium, Sydney  
Try: Alistair Murdoch
David Campese
Michael Brial
Richard Tombs
Sam Payne
Con: Matt Burke (4)
Pen: Matt Burke
Try: Stephen Brink
Pen: MJ Smith (2)
Attendance: 22,016
Referee: Mick Keogh (Australia)
12 April 1997 Auckland Blues New Zealand 41–29 Australia ACT Brumbies Growers Stadium, Pukekohe  
Try: Adrian Cashmore
Brian Lima
Eroni Clarke (2)
Lee Stensness
Siuleo Frederik Lafuaiali'i
Con: Adrian Cashmore (3)
Carlos Spencer
Pen: Adrian Cashmore
Try: James Holbeck
Joe Roff
Stephen Larkham
Troy Coker
Con: David Knox
Joe Roff
Stephen Larkham
Pen: David Knox
Referee: Colin Hawke (New Zealand)

Round 8[edit]

18 April 1997 Otago Highlanders New Zealand 9–15 Australia ACT Brumbies Rugby Park Stadium, Invercargill  
Pen: Tony Brown (3) Try: George Gregan
Owen Finegan
Con: David Knox
Pen: David Knox
Referee: Glenn Wahlstrom (New Zealand)
19 April 1997 Auckland Blues New Zealand 63–22 South Africa Gauteng Lions Eden Park, Auckland  
Try: Carlos Spencer
Dylan Mika
Jeremy Stanley
Joeli Vidiri
Michael Jones
Ofisa Tonu'u (2)
Siuleo Frederik Lafaiali'i
Zinzan Brooke (2)
Con: Carlos Spencer (5)
Pen: Carlos Spencer
Try: Japie Mulder
Johan Roux
Warren Brosnihan
Con: Johan Roux (2)
Pen: Johan Roux
Referee: Colin Hawke (New Zealand)
19 April 1997 Northern Transvaal South Africa 34–27 New Zealand Waikato Chiefs Loftus Versfeld, Pretoria  
Try: Graeme Bouwer
Jacques Olivier (2)
Nicky van der Walt
Con: Casper Steyn (4)
Pen: Casper Steyn (2)
Try: Dean Anglesey
Glen Osborne
Con: Matt Cooper
Pen: Matt Cooper (5)
Referee: Ian Rogers (South Africa)
19 April 1997 Canterbury Crusaders New Zealand 26–26 South Africa Sharks Jade Stadium, Christchurch  
Try: Penalty try
Mark Mayerhofler
Con: Andrew Mehrtens (2)
Pen: Andrew Mehrtens (4)
Try: Henry Honiball
Mark Andrews
Pieter Muller
Wikus van Heerden
Con: Henry Honiball (3)
Referee: Paddy O'Brien (New Zealand)
19 April 1997 NSW Waratahs Australia 16–26 Australia Queensland Reds Sydney Football Stadium, Sydney  
Try: Penalty try
Con: Matt Burke
Pen: Matt Burke (3)
Try: Ben Tune
Damien Smith
Mark Connors
Con: John Eales
Pen: John Eales (3)
Attendance: 15,196
Referee: Wayne Erickson (New Zealand)
20 April 1997 Wellington Hurricanes New Zealand 59–30 South Africa Free State Athletic Park, Wellington  
Try: Penalty try
Christian Cullen (3)
Jason O'Halloran
Mark Cooksley
Martin Leslie
Tana Umaga
Con: Jarrod Cunningham
Jon Preston (4)
Pen: Jon Preston (3)
Try: Charl van Rensburg
Os du Randt
Stephen Brink
Con: Jannie de Beer (3)
Pen: Jannie de Beer (3)
Attendance: 25,000
Referee: Paul Honiss (New Zealand)

Round 9[edit]

25 April 1997 Canterbury Crusaders New Zealand 23–0 South Africa Gauteng Lions Jade Stadium, Christchurch  
Try: Afato So'oalo
Andrew Mehrtens
Todd Blackadder
Con: Andrew Mehrtens
Pen: Andrew Mehrtens (2)
Referee: Glenn Wahlstrom (New Zealand)
26 April 1997 ACT Brumbies Australia 56–9 Australia NSW Waratahs Canberra Stadium, Canberra  
Try: David Knox
George Gregan
Joe Roff (3)
Mitch Hardy (2)
Patricio Noriega
Con: David Knox (5)
Pen: David Knox (2)
Pen: Matt Burke (3) Attendance: 18,753
Referee: Andrew Cole (New Zealand)
26 April 1997 Wellington Hurricanes New Zealand 60–34 New Zealand Otago Highlanders Athletic Park, Wellington  
Try: Alex Telea (2)
Christian Cullen
Filo Tiatia
Jason O'Halloran (2)
Tana Umaga (3)
Con: Christian Cullen (6)
Pen: Christian Cullen
Try: Ace Tiatia
Brett McCormack
Josh Kronfeld
Kupu Vanisi
Matt Carrington
Con: Tony Brown (3)
Pen: Tony Brown
Referee: Colin Hawke (New Zealand)
26 April 1997 Free State South Africa 27–13 New Zealand Waikato Chiefs Free State Stadium, Bloemfontein  
Try: Hendrik Jordaan Kruger
Jan-Harm van Wyk
Rassie Erasmus
Wybrand Els
Con: MJ Smith (2)
Pen: MJ Smith
Try: Michael Collins
Con: Matt Cooper
Pen: Matt Cooper (2)
Referee: Tappe Henning (South Africa)
27 April 1997 Auckland Blues New Zealand 39–17 South Africa Sharks Eden Park, Auckland  
Try: Penalty try
Carlos Spencer
Joeli Vidiri
Ofisa Tonu'u
Sean Fitzpatrick
Con: Carlos Spencer (4)
Pen: Carlos Spencer (2)
Try: John Slade
Kevin Putt
Con: Gavin Lawless (2)
Pen: Gavin Lawless
Referee: Paddy O'Brien (New Zealand)

Round 10[edit]

2 May 1997 Wellington Hurricanes New Zealand 19–3 Australia NSW Waratahs McLean Park, Napier  
Try: Christian Cullen
Jason O'Halloran
Martin Leslie
Con: Christian Cullen (2)
Pen: Matt Burke Referee: Glenn Wahlstrom (New Zealand)
3 May 1997 Northern Transvaal South Africa 23–22 New Zealand Canterbury Crusaders Loftus Versfeld, Pretoria  
Try: Boeta Wessels
Johan Schutte
Con: Casper Steyn (2)
Pen: Casper Steyn (3)
Try: Afato So'oalo (2)
Steve Surridge
Con: Daryl Lilley (2)
Pen: Andrew Mehrtens
Referee: Jonathan Kaplan (South Africa)
3 May 1997 Otago Highlanders New Zealand 28–45 New Zealand Auckland Blues Carisbrook
Dunedin
 
Try: Anton Oliver
Josh Kronfeld
Romi Ropati
Taine Randall
Con: TOny Brown
Pen: Brendan Laney
Tony Brown
Try: Jeremy Stanley (2)
Joeli Vidiri
Lee Stensness
Ofisa Tonu'u
Robin Brooke (2)
Con: Adrian Cashmore
Carlos Spencer (4)
Attendance: 11,500
Referee: Steve Walsh (New Zealand)
3 May 1997 Queensland Reds Australia 40–3 South Africa Sharks Ballymore Stadium, Brisbane  
Try: Penalty try
Ben Tune
David Wilson
Glen Panoho
Jason Little
John Eales
Con: John Eales (5)
Pen: Gavin Lawless Attendance: 14,826
Referee: Wayne Erickson (Australia)
3 May 1997 Waikato Chiefs New Zealand 47–9 South Africa Gauteng Lions Waikato Stadium, Hamilton  
Try: Caleb Ralph (2)
Deon Muir
Scott McLeod
Con: Matt Cooper (5)
Pen: Matt Cooper (4)
Pen: Gavin Johnson (3) Referee: Paul Honiss (New Zealand)

Round 11[edit]

9 May 1997 Otago Highlanders New Zealand 16–27 Australia NSW Waratahs Carisbrook, Dunedin  
Try: Lio Flaniko
Con: Simon Culhane
Pen: Simon Culhane (3)
Try: Alistair Murdoch
Jason Madz
Michael Brial
Con: Matt Burke (3)
Pen: Matt Burke (2)
Referee: Colin Hawke (New Zealand)
9 May 1997 ACT Brumbies Australia 48–34 New Zealand Waikato Chiefs Canberra Stadium, Canberra  
Try: George Gregan
Joe Roff (2)
Mitch Hardy
Owen Finegan
Stephen Larkham
Troy Coker
Con: David Knox (5)
Pen: David Knox
Try: Aaron Hopa
Eric Rush (3)
Con: Ian Foster (4)
Pen: Matt Cooper (2)
Attendance: 13,742
Referee: Stuart Dickinson (Australia)
10 May 1997 Free State South Africa 11–16 New Zealand Canterbury Crusaders Free State Stadium, Bloemfontein  
Try: Werner Swanepoel
Pen: MJ Smith (2)
Try: Daryl Lilley
Con: Darryl Lilley
Pen: Darryl Lilley (3)
Referee: Ian Rogers (South Africa)
10 May 1997 Queensland Reds Australia 40–27 South Africa Gauteng Lions Ballymore Stadium, Brisbane  
Try: Damien Smith
Daniel Herbert
Jason Little
Scott Webster
Tim Horan
Con: John Eales (3)
Pen: John Eales (3)
Try: Chris Rossouw (2)
Jopie Adlam
Warren Brosnihan
Con: Dawie du Toit
Edrich Lubbe
Pen: Edrich Lubbe
Attendance: 13,846
Referee: Wayne Erickson (Australia)
10 May 1997 Auckland Blues New Zealand 45–42 New Zealand Wellington Hurricanes Eden Park, Auckland  
Try: Carlos Spencer
Craig Dowd
Joeli Vidiri
Michael Jones
Zinzan Brooke
Con: Adrian Cashmore (3)
Pen: Adrian Cashmore
Carlos Spencer (2)
Try: Finau Maka
Jarrod Cunningham
Bull Allen
Tana Umaga (2)
Con: Jon Preston (4)
Pen: Jon Preston (3)
Referee: Paul Honiss (New Zealand)
11 May 1997 Sharks South Africa 27–27 South Africa Northern Transvaal ABSA Stadium, Durban  
Try: Adrian Garvey
Gavin Lawless (2)
John Allan
Con: Gavin Lawless (2)
Pen: Gavin Lawless
Try: André Snyman
Boeta Wessels
Johan Schutte
Con: Casper Steyn (3)
Pen: Casper Steyn (2)
Attendance: 36,270
Referee: André Watson (South Africa)

Round 12[edit]

16 May 1997 Waikato Chiefs New Zealand 18–34 New Zealand Otago Highlanders Owen Delany Park, Taupō  
Try: Caleb Ralph
Glenn Taylor
Con: Blair Feeney
Pen: Ian Foster (2)
Try: Doug Howlett (3)
Con: Simon Culhane (2)
Pen: Simon Culhane (4)
Tony Brown
Attendance: 10,000[11]
Referee: Paul Honiss (New Zealand)
16 May 1997 Northern Transvaal South Africa 23–35 South Africa Free State Loftus Versfeld, Pretoria  
Try: Kobus Engelbrecht
Matthys Bekker
Nicky van der Walt
Con: Casper Steyn
Pen: Casper Steyn (2)
Try: Andre Venter
Brendan Venter
Chris Badenhorst (2)
Helgard Müller
Con: Jannie de Beer (5)
Attendance: 35,000
Referee: Johann Meuwesen (South Africa)
17 May 1997 NSW Waratahs Australia 20–34 New Zealand Auckland Blues Sydney Football Stadium, Sydney  
Try: Alistair Murdoch (2)
Con: Matt Burke (2)
Pen: Matt Burke (2)
Try: Brian Lima (2)
Dylan Mika
Zinzan Brooke
Con: Adrian Cashmore (4)
Pen: Adrian Cashmore (2)
Attendance: 30,793
Referee: Andrew Cole (Australia)
17 May 1997 Canterbury Crusaders New Zealand 48–3 Australia Queensland Reds Jade Stadium, Christchurch  
Try: Daryl Gibson
Justin Marshall
Mark Hammett
Mark Mayerhofler (2)
Scott Robertson
Con: Andrew Mehrtens (2)
Daryl Lilley
Pen: Andrew Mehrtens (3)
Drop: Andrew Mehrtens
Pen: John Eales Referee: Paddy O'Brien (New Zealand)
17 May 1997 Gauteng Lions South Africa 42–8 South Africa Sharks Ellis Park, Johannesburg  
Try: Dawie du Toit (2)
Jannie van der Walt
Joe Gillingham
Jopie Adlam
Con: Edrich Lubbe (4)
Pen: Edrich Lubbe (3)
Try: Cabous van der Westhuisen
Pen: Gavin Lawless
Attendance: 36,260
Referee: Tappe Henning (South Africa)
18 May 1997 Wellington Hurricanes New Zealand 29–35 Australia ACT Brumbies Athletic Park, Wellington  
Try: Christian Cullen (2)
Filo Tiatia
Con: Jon Preston
Pen: Jon Preston (4)
Try: George Gregan
Joe Roff
Mitch Hardy (2)
Troy Coker
Con: David Knox (2)
Pen: David Knox (2)
Attendance: 30,400
Referee: Colin Hawke (New Zealand)

Finals[edit]

Semi finals[edit]

24 May 1997 Auckland Blues New Zealand 55–36 South Africa Sharks Eden Park, Auckland  
Try: Adrian Cashmore
Carlos Spencer
Eroni Clarke
Joeli Vidiri
Mark Carter
Zinzan Brooke
Con: Adrian Cashmore (6)
Pen: Adrian Cashmore
Try: Errol Stewart
Henry Honiball
Joos Joubert
Lawrence Payne
Con: Henry Honiball (3)
Referee: Wayne Erickson (Australia)

24 May 1997 ACT Brumbies Australia 33–20 New Zealand Wellington Hurricanes Canberra Stadium, Canberra  
Try: George Gregan
James Holbeck
Joe Roff
Mitch Hardy
Con: David Knox
Pen: David Knox (2)
Try: Christian Cullen (2)
Con: Jon Preston (2)
Pen: Jon Preston (2)
Attendance: 23,731
Referee: André Watson (South Africa)

Grand final[edit]

31 May 1997
Auckland Blues New Zealand23–7Australia ACT Brumbies
Try: Dowd
Jones
Con: Cashmore (2)
Pen: Cashmore (3)
Try: Roff
Con: Roff
Eden Park, Auckland
Referee: Tappe Henning (South Africa)
15 Adrian Cashmore
14 Brian Lima
13 Eroni Clarke
12 Lee Stensness
11 Joeli Vidiri
10 Carlos Spencer
9 Ofisa Tonu'u
8 Zinzan Brooke (c)
7 Michael Jones
6 Mark Carter
5 Robin Brooke
4 Leo Lafaiali'i
3 Craig Dowd
2 Sean Fitzpatrick
1 Olo Brown
Replacements:
16 Jeremy Stanley
17 Michael Scott
18 Dylan Mika
19 Charles Riechelmann
20 Paul Thomson
21 Andrew Roose
Coach:
New Zealand Graham Henry
15 Stephen Larkham
14 Mitch Hardy
13 James Holbeck
12 Pat Howard
11 Joe Roff
10 David Knox
9 George Gregan
8 Troy Coker
7 Brett Robinson (c)
6 Owen Finegan
5 John Langford
4 David Giffin
3 Patricio Noriega
2 Marco Caputo
1 Ewen McKenzie
Replacements:
16 Rod Kafer
17 Geoff Logan
18 Justin Harrison
19 Ipolito Fenukitau
20 Dean Zammit
21 Timote Tavalea
Coach:
Australia Rod McQueen

Notes and references[edit]

  1. ^ "SA Rugby Match Centre – Wellington Hurricanes 18–23 The Chiefs". South African Rugby Union. 28 February 1997. Retrieved 15 March 2016.
  2. ^ "SA Rugby Match Centre – Queensland Reds 19–24 Australian Capital Territories Brumbies". South African Rugby Union. 1 March 1997. Retrieved 15 March 2016.
  3. ^ "SA Rugby Match Centre – Blue Bulls 40–40 Auckland Blues". South African Rugby Union. 1 March 1997. Retrieved 15 March 2016.
  4. ^ "SA Rugby Match Centre – Free State 20–24 Gauteng Lions". South African Rugby Union. 2 March 1997. Retrieved 15 March 2016.
  5. ^ "SA Rugby Match Centre – Free State 15–24 Auckland Blues". South African Rugby Union. 7 March 1997. Retrieved 15 March 2016.
  6. ^ "SA Rugby Match Centre – Canterbury Crusaders 19–17 Wellington Hurricanes". South African Rugby Union. 7 March 1997. Retrieved 15 March 2016.
  7. ^ "SA Rugby Match Centre – New South Wales Waratahs 26–33 The Chiefs". South African Rugby Union. 8 March 1997. Retrieved 15 March 2016.
  8. ^ "SA Rugby Match Centre – Natal Sharks 75–43 Otago Highlanders". South African Rugby Union. 8 March 1997. Retrieved 15 March 2016.
  9. ^ "SA Rugby Match Centre – Blue Bulls 14–3 Queensland Reds". South African Rugby Union. 8 March 1997. Retrieved 15 March 2016.
  10. ^ "SA Rugby Match Centre – Gauteng Lions 44–36 Australian Capital Territories Brumbies". South African Rugby Union. 9 March 1997. Retrieved 15 March 2016.
  11. ^ "Rugby: Chiefs want record crowd to spur them on".

Further reading[edit]

  • McIlraith, M. (2005).Ten Years of Super 12, Auckland: Hodder Moa. ISBN 1-86971-025-8