1997 Super 12 season

Last updated

1997 Super 12
CountriesFlag of Australia (converted).svg  Australia
Flag of South Africa.svg  South Africa
Flag of New Zealand.svg  New Zealand
Tournament format(s) Round-robin and knockout
Champions Flag of New Zealand.svg Auckland Blues (2nd title)
Matches played69
Top point scorer(s) Flag of South Africa.svg Gavin Lawless (170)
(Sharks)
Top try scorer(s) Flag of Australia (converted).svg 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.

Contents

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

    Top four teams advance to playoffs
Pos.TeamPldWDLPFPAPDBPPts
1 Flag of New Zealand.svg Auckland Blues 111010435283152850
2 Flag of Australia (converted).svg ACT Brumbies 11803406291115941
3 Flag of New Zealand.svg Wellington Hurricanes 116054163141021034
4 Flag of South Africa.svg Sharks 1152432135029630
5 Flag of South Africa.svg Gauteng Lions 1151530234644628
6 Flag of New Zealand.svg Canterbury Crusaders 1151527223537426
7 Flag of South Africa.svg Free State 1150630132726525
8 Flag of South Africa.svg Northern Transvaal 1133526434278422
9 Flag of Australia (converted).svg NSW Waratahs 1140725529641420
10 Flag of Australia (converted).svg Queensland Reds 1140726331855420
11 Flag of New Zealand.svg Waikato Chiefs 1140727229523319
12 Flag of New Zealand.svg Otago Highlanders 11308299409110517

Points breakdown:

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

Regular season

Round 1

28 February 1997Wellington Hurricanes Flag of New Zealand.svg 18–23 Flag of New Zealand.svg Waikato Chiefs The Showgrounds, Palmerston North  
Try: Jarrod Cunningham
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 1997Queensland Reds Flag of Australia (converted).svg 19–24 Flag of Australia (converted).svg 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 1997Northern Transvaal Flag of South Africa.svg 40–40 Flag of New Zealand.svg 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 1997Free State Flag of South Africa.svg 20–24 Flag of South Africa.svg 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

7 March 1997Free State Flag of South Africa.svg 15–24 Flag of New Zealand.svg 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 1997Canterbury Crusaders Flag of New Zealand.svg 19–17 Flag of New Zealand.svg 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 1997NSW Waratahs Flag of Australia (converted).svg 26–33 Flag of New Zealand.svg 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 1997Sharks Flag of South Africa.svg 75–43 Flag of New Zealand.svg 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 1997Northern Transvaal Flag of South Africa.svg 14–3 Flag of Australia (converted).svg 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 1997Gauteng Lions Flag of South Africa.svg 44–36 Flag of Australia (converted).svg 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

14 March 1997Gauteng Lions Flag of South Africa.svg 47–29 Flag of New Zealand.svg 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 1997NSW Waratahs Flag of Australia (converted).svg 25–8 Flag of New Zealand.svg 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 1997Free State Flag of South Africa.svg 35–24 Flag of Australia (converted).svg 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 1997Waikato Chiefs Flag of New Zealand.svg 16–26 Flag of New Zealand.svg 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 1997Sharks Flag of South Africa.svg 35–26 Flag of Australia (converted).svg 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 1997Wellington Hurricanes Flag of New Zealand.svg 64–32 Flag of South Africa.svg 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

22 March 1997Otago Highlanders Flag of New Zealand.svg 27–7 Flag of South Africa.svg 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 1997Gauteng Lions Flag of South Africa.svg 36–27 Flag of Australia (converted).svg 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 1997Waikato Chiefs Flag of New Zealand.svg 31–16 Flag of Australia (converted).svg 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 1997ACT Brumbies Flag of Australia (converted).svg 49–29 Flag of New Zealand.svg 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 1997Free State Flag of South Africa.svg 45–40 Flag of South Africa.svg 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 Lawless (3)
Pen: Gavin Lawless (3)
Referee: Flag of England.svg Andy Turner

Round 5

28 March 1997ACT Brumbies Flag of Australia (converted).svg 38–19 Flag of South Africa.svg 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 1997Canterbury Crusaders Flag of New Zealand.svg 24–15 Flag of New Zealand.svg 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 1997Gauteng Lions Flag of South Africa.svg 35–37 Flag of New Zealand.svg 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 1997Sharks Flag of South Africa.svg 28–23 Flag of Australia (converted).svg 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 1997Otago Highlanders Flag of New Zealand.svg 18–49 Flag of South Africa.svg 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 1997Auckland Blues Flag of New Zealand.svg 49–26 Flag of Australia (converted).svg 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

4 April 1997Sharks Flag of South Africa.svg 29–24 Flag of New Zealand.svg 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 1997ACT Brumbies Flag of Australia (converted).svg 50–23 Flag of South Africa.svg 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 1997Auckland Blues Flag of New Zealand.svg 29–28 Flag of New Zealand.svg Canterbury Crusaders Growers Stadium, Pukekohe  
Try: Joeli Vidiri
Robin Brooke
Con: Adrian Cashmore (2)
Pen: Adrian Cashmore (5)
Try: Daryl Gibson
Daryl Lilley
Kevin Nepia
Con: Andrew Mehrtens (2)
Pen: Andrew Mehrtens (3)
Referee: Steve Walsh (New Zealand)
5 April 1997Queensland Reds Flag of Australia (converted).svg 37–24 Flag of New Zealand.svg 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 1997NSW Waratahs Flag of Australia (converted).svg 43–29 Flag of South Africa.svg 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

11 April 1997Waikato Chiefs Flag of New Zealand.svg 15–33 Flag of South Africa.svg 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 1997Queensland Reds Flag of Australia (converted).svg 29–47 Flag of New Zealand.svg 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 1997Gauteng Lions Flag of South Africa.svg 16–16 Flag of South Africa.svg 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 1997Otago Highlanders Flag of New Zealand.svg 37–29 Flag of New Zealand.svg 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 1997NSW Waratahs Flag of Australia (converted).svg 36–11 Flag of South Africa.svg 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 1997Auckland Blues Flag of New Zealand.svg 41–29 Flag of Australia (converted).svg ACT Brumbies Growers Stadium, Pukekohe  
Try: Adrian Cashmore
Brian Lima
Eroni Clarke (2)
Lee Stensness
Leo Lafaiali'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

18 April 1997Otago Highlanders Flag of New Zealand.svg 9–15 Flag of Australia (converted).svg 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 1997Auckland Blues Flag of New Zealand.svg 63–22 Flag of South Africa.svg Gauteng Lions Eden Park, Auckland  
Try: Carlos Spencer
Dylan Mika
Jeremy Stanley
Joeli Vidiri
Michael Jones
Ofisa Tonu'u (2)
Leo 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 1997Northern Transvaal Flag of South Africa.svg 34–27 Flag of New Zealand.svg 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 1997Canterbury Crusaders Flag of New Zealand.svg 26–26 Flag of South Africa.svg 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 1997NSW Waratahs Flag of Australia (converted).svg 16–26 Flag of Australia (converted).svg 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 1997Wellington Hurricanes Flag of New Zealand.svg 59–30 Flag of South Africa.svg 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

25 April 1997Canterbury Crusaders Flag of New Zealand.svg 23–0 Flag of South Africa.svg 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 1997ACT Brumbies Flag of Australia (converted).svg 56–9 Flag of Australia (converted).svg 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 1997Wellington Hurricanes Flag of New Zealand.svg 60–34 Flag of New Zealand.svg 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 1997Free State Flag of South Africa.svg 27–13 Flag of New Zealand.svg 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 1997Auckland Blues Flag of New Zealand.svg 39–17 Flag of South Africa.svg 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

2 May 1997Wellington Hurricanes Flag of New Zealand.svg 19–3 Flag of Australia (converted).svg 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 1997Northern Transvaal Flag of South Africa.svg 23–22 Flag of New Zealand.svg 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 1997Otago Highlanders Flag of New Zealand.svg 28–45 Flag of New Zealand.svg 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 1997Queensland Reds Flag of Australia (converted).svg 40–3 Flag of South Africa.svg 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 1997Waikato Chiefs Flag of New Zealand.svg 47–9 Flag of South Africa.svg 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

9 May 1997Otago Highlanders Flag of New Zealand.svg 16–27 Flag of Australia (converted).svg NSW Waratahs Carisbrook, Dunedin  
Try: Lio Falaniko
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 1997ACT Brumbies Flag of Australia (converted).svg 48–34 Flag of New Zealand.svg 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 1997Free State Flag of South Africa.svg 11–16 Flag of New Zealand.svg Canterbury Crusaders Free State Stadium, Bloemfontein  
Try: Werner Swanepoel
Pen: MJ Smith (2)
Try: Daryl Lilley
Con: Daryl Lilley
Pen: Daryl Lilley (3)
Referee: Ian Rogers (South Africa)
10 May 1997Queensland Reds Flag of Australia (converted).svg 40–27 Flag of South Africa.svg 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 1997Auckland Blues Flag of New Zealand.svg 45–42 Flag of New Zealand.svg 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 1997Sharks Flag of South Africa.svg 27–27 Flag of South Africa.svg 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

16 May 1997Waikato Chiefs Flag of New Zealand.svg 18–34 Flag of New Zealand.svg 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 1997Northern Transvaal Flag of South Africa.svg 23–35 Flag of South Africa.svg 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 1997NSW Waratahs Flag of Australia (converted).svg 20–34 Flag of New Zealand.svg 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 1997Canterbury Crusaders Flag of New Zealand.svg 48–3 Flag of Australia (converted).svg 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 1997Gauteng Lions Flag of South Africa.svg 42–8 Flag of South Africa.svg 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 Westhuizen
Pen: Gavin Lawless
Attendance: 36,260
Referee: Tappe Henning (South Africa)
18 May 1997Wellington Hurricanes Flag of New Zealand.svg 29–35 Flag of Australia (converted).svg 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

Semi finals

Grand final

Notes and references

  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".

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