Super Rugby is one of the most anticipated sports events that rugby fans look forward to every year. It’s a competition that used to bring together the best rugby teams from Australia, South Africa, Japan, Argentina, and New Zealand. The 2023 campaign however comprises teams from New Zealand, Australia, and Fiji.
Unfortunately for the spectacle of Super Rugby, four of South Africa’s finest clubs have headed to the Northern Hemisphere, taking part in the United Rugby Championship alongside teams from Ireland, Wales, Scotland, and Italy. The Southern Hemisphere’s competition still shines brightly, however. Now named, the Super Rugby Pacific, the competition still features some of the finest rugby teams on the planet, even with the omission of the South African outfits.
New Zealand’s Crusaders are the reigning champions. They managed to defeat their compatriots, The Blues, in last season’s showpiece, defeating them 21-7 in the Eden Park showpiece. Tries from Bryn Hall and Sevu Reece, as well as the kicking brilliance of Richie Mo’unga was enough to secure the victory.
Their defence of the crown hasn’t gotten off to an ideal start though. They are currently in fourth place in the standings with a record of three wins and two losses. The Chiefs currently top the pile with a perfect record of five wins from five games so far this season.
Back in 2020, the runner-up Blues gambled big when they invested heavily in fly half Beauden Barrett, perhaps the finest Rugby player on the planet at the time. But betting on one player to win a game or a season is like gambling in life in casino or online like Joe Fortune. Barrett led the team to their first final in almost two decades last season, and he will be aiming to do the same thing in 2023, only going one better this time around and actually lifting the trophy. But without further ado, who are the most successful teams in the history of Super Rugby? Let us take a look.
The Crusaders – The Most Successful Team in Super Rugby History
The Crusaders are one of the most iconic rugby teams in all of professional rugby. They are comfortably the most successful team in Super Rugby, having won the championship a whopping 11 times. They are based in Christchurch, New Zealand, and have been competing in the competition since its inception in 1996.
The team is known for its outstanding performances and a winning mentality that has seen them lift the trophy in each of the last four completed seasons. They have always had a team full of dynamic and versatile players who have all contributed significantly to the team’s success. Players like Richie McCaw, Dan Carter, and Kieran Read have left a lasting impact on both the team and the league alike.
The Blues – Auckland’s Powerhouses
The Blues are one of the most exciting and entertaining teams in the history of the competition. They have won the Super Rugby championship on three separate occasions, however, unfortunately for their fans, their last title came two decades ago, way back in 2003. The team is based in Auckland, New Zealand, and is known for its fast-paced, attacking style of rugby.
The team has a long history of producing world-class players like Carlos Spencer, Doug Howlett, and the incomparable Jonah Lomu, all of whom have contributed massively to the club’s success over the years. The Blues have a young and hungry team, and with the right guidance, they could once again become a dominant force in the league.
That guidance may well come in the form of the Beauden Barrett. He joined the team back in 2020 and is the current top points scorer in the competition with 47 points in just four games, and he will be hoping to add to that total in the coming months.
The Bulls – The Giants of South African Rugby
The Bulls are a South African rugby team that has since left Super Rugby. They – alongside their compatriots The Lions, The Sharks, and The Stormers – decided to join the Northern Hemisphere-based United Rugby Championship back in 2021. Despite no longer being in the competition, The Bulls have tasted Super Rugby success on three occasions, tying them for second in the list of most successful teams in the history of the tournament. The team is based in Pretoria, South Africa, and has a reputation for being one of the toughest teams in the league.
The Bulls have had some legendary players who have helped them achieve success, including Victor Matfield, Fourie du Preez, and Bryan Habana. All four South African teams are sorely missed from Super Rugby, however losing The Bulls was a particularly difficult loss to take. That’s primarily thanks to the team’s star power and their raucous fan base.
