Super Rugby Unlocked
Official Logo
CountriesSouth Africa
Tournament format(s)Round-robin tournament
ChampionsBulls
Matches played18
Tries scored108 (6 per match)
Top point scorer(s)Curwin Bosch, Sharks (63)
Top try scorer(s)Stedman Gans, Bulls (5)
Official websiteOfficial site

Super Rugby Unlocked (known as Vodacom Super Rugby Unlocked for sponsorship reasons) was a professional rugby union competition played in South Africa from 10 October to 21 November 2020.[1] Sponsored by communications company Vodacom,[2] the tournament replaced the South African component of the incomplete 2020 Super Rugby season that was shut down in March of that year due to the COVID-19 pandemic.[3][4]

Organised by the South African Rugby Union as part of a combined Currie Cup and domestic Super Rugby tournament, the seven-team competition featured the Bulls, Lions, Sharks and Stormers from Super Rugby, with the addition of the Cheetahs, Griquas and Pumas.[5]

The competition was won by the Bulls, who topped the standings of the seven-week round-robin tournament.[6]

Format

The seven participating teams played each other once, home or away. The top-placed team at the end of that seven-week round-robin was awarded the Super Rugby Unlocked title.[3]

All tournament points were then carried forward to the 2020–21 Currie Cup, incorporating a return round-robin of matches followed by cup playoffs.[3]

Tournament points in the Super Rugby Unlocked standings were awarded to teams as follows:[7]

  • 4 points for a win.
  • 2 points for a draw.
  • 1 bonus point for a loss in a match by seven points or under.
  • 1 bonus point for scoring three tries more than the opponent.

Teams were ranked firstly by tournament points, then number of matches won, overall points difference (points scored less points conceded), number of tries scored, overall try difference (tries scored less tries conceded) and, if needed, coin toss.[7]

Standings

2020 Super Rugby Unlocked standings
Pos Team P W D L PF PA PD TF TA TB LB Pts
1Bulls 650117892+862192123
2Stormers 6411140112+2817121019
3Sharks 6411128122+613141019
4Cheetahs 6312126106+201592117
5Lions 6123119103+1615101312
6Pumas 6114119179−601525017
7Griquas 6006123219−961229033
Source: Super Rugby

Key: P = matches played, W = Won, D = Drawn, L = Lost, PF = Points for, PA = Points against, PD = Points difference, TF = Tries for, TA = Tries against, TB = Tries bonus, LB = Loss bonus, Pts = Tournament points

The top-placed team won the Super Rugby Unlocked title

Matches

All matches for Super Rugby Unlocked are listed below:[2]

Round 1

9 October Sharks 19–16 Lions Jonsson Kings Park, Durban  
19:00 Try: Werner Kok 5' c
Con: Curwin Bosch (1/1) 6'
Pen: Curwin Bosch (4/4) 23', 30', 56', 73'
Report Try: Jamba Ulengo 51' c
Con: Elton Jantjies (1/1) 51'
Pen: Elton Jantjies (3/5) 33', 60', 70'
Referee: AJ Jacobs
10 October Cheetahs 53–31 Pumas Toyota Stadium, Bloemfontein  
16:30 Try: Malcolm Jaer 2' c, 12' m, 57' m
Junior Pokomela 16' c
Rosko Specman 29' m, 31' c
Ruan Pienaar 40+1' c
William Small-Smith 42' c
Con: Ruan Pienaar (5/8) 3', 16', 32', 40+2', 43'
Pen: Ruan Pienaar (1/1) 10'
Report Try: Ginter Smuts 45' c
Daniel Maartens 62' c
Le Roux Roets 77' c
Neil Maritz 80' c
Con: Eddie Fouché (4/4) 46', 63', 78', 80+1'
Pen: Eddie Fouché (1/1) 7'
Referee: Jaco Peyper
10 October Bulls 30–23 Griquas Loftus Versfeld, Pretoria  
19:00 Try: Ruan Nortjé 40+2' c
Penalty try 56'
Arno Botha 69' c
Con: Morné Steyn (2/2) 40+3', 69'
Pen: Morné Steyn (3/4) 38', 64', 74'
Report Try: James Verity-Amm 26' c, 71' m
Anthony Volmink 45' m
Con: George Whitehead (1/3) 27'
Pen: George Whitehead (2/2) 10', 51'
Referee: Marius van der Westhuizen
Bye/s: Stormers

Round 2

16 October Cheetahs 19–17 Bulls Toyota Stadium, Bloemfontein  
19:00 Try: Rosko Specman 25' c
Con: Tian Schoeman (1/1) 26'
Pen: Tian Schoeman (4/5) 16', 37', 56', 60'
Report Try: Joe van Zyl 79' m
Pen: Morné Steyn (3/3) 23', 52', 64'
Chris Smith (1/1) 70'
Referee: Cwengile Jadezweni
17 October Griquas 21–27 Pumas Tafel Lager Park, Kimberley  
16:30 Try: Victor Sekekete 41' m
Adré Smith 60' c
Con: George Whitehead (1/2) 61'
Pen: George Whitehead (3/4) 7', 23', 74'
Report Try: Ginter Smuts 20' c
Etienne Taljaard 37' c
Devon Williams 70' c
Con: Eddie Fouché (3/3) 21', 39', 71'
Pen: Eddie Fouché (2/2) 31', 53'
Referee: AJ Jacobs
17 October Stormers 23–17 Lions DHL Newlands, Cape Town  
19:00 Try: Rikus Pretorius 50' c
Dan du Plessis 63' c
Con: Damian Willemse (2/2) 52', 65'
Pen: Damian Willemse (3/5) 9', 35', 48'
Report Try: Rabz Maxwane 10' c
Elton Jantjies 71' c
Con: Elton Jantjies (2/2) 11', 72'
Pen: Elton Jantjies (1/1) 7'
Referee: Rasta Rasivhenge
Bye/s: Sharks

Round 3

23 October Pumas 37–42 Stormers Mbombela Stadium, Mbombela  
19:00 Try: Neil Maritz 6' c, 51' c,
Jeandré Rudolph 13' c,
Wayne van der Bank 32' c
Con: Eddie Fouché (2/2) 7', 14',
Niel Marais (2/2) 34', 53'
Pen: Eddie Fouché (3/3) 2', 20', 23'
Report Try: Rikus Pretorius 3' c,
Herschel Jantjies 29' c,
Neethling Fouche 62' c,
Bongi Mbonambi 71' c,
Leolin Zas 74' c,
Warrick Gelant 78' c
Con: Tim Swiel (6/6) 4', 30', 63', 72', 75', 79'
Referee: Marius van der Westhuizen
24 October Lions 0–0 Cheetahs Emirates Airline Park, Johannesburg  
16:30
24 October Bulls 41–14 Sharks Loftus Versfeld, Pretoria  
19:00 Try: Stedman Gans 28' c, 56' c,
Marco van Staden 32' c, 44' c,
Marco Jansen van Vuren 77' m,
Embrose Papier 80+2' m
Con: Morné Steyn (4/4) 28', 33', 45', 57',
Chris Smith (0/2)
Pen: Morné Steyn (1/1) 19'
Drop: Morné Steyn (0/2)
Report Try: Dylan Richardson 52' m
Con: Curwin Bosch (0/1)
Pen: Curwin Bosch (3/3) 11', 23', 37'
Referee: Jaco Peyper
Bye/s: Griquas

On 24 October, the match between the Lions and Cheetahs was postponed due to two positive COVID-19 cases found following a second batch of Coronavirus testing within the Lions squad, following earlier positive cases earlier in the week, and so falling in line with COVID-19 protocols.[8] On 4 November, this game was declared as a 0–0 draw due to the inability to reschedule the match.[9]

Round 4

30 October Lions 61–31 Griquas Emirates Airline Park, Johannesburg  
19:00 Try: Courtnall Skosan 10' c, 30' c, 79' m,
Dan Kriel 16' c,
Stean Pienaar 40' c,
MJ Pelser 43' c,
Jaco Visagie 49' c,
Wandisile Simelane 70' c,
Reinhard Nothnagel 78' c
Con: Elton Jantjies (8/9) 11', 17', 31', 40+2', 44', 51', 71', 78'
Report Try: Zak Burger 47' c,
HJ Luus 54' c,
James Verity-Amm 63' c,
Tinus de Beer 74' c
Con: George Whitehead (4/4) 47', 55', 64', 75'
Pen: George Whitehead (1/1) 24'
Referee: Marius van der Westhuizen
31 October Pumas 19–42 Sharks Mbombela Stadium, Mbombela  
16:30 Try: Francois Kleinhans 27' c,
Erich Cronjé 54' c, 72' m
Con: Theo Boshoff (2/2) 28', 55'
Niel Marais (0/1)
Report Try: Manie Libbok 2' c,
Madosh Tambwe 13' c,
Dan Jooste 19' c,
Sbu Nkosi 40+1' c,
Kerron van Vuuren 67' c, 78' c
Con: Curwin Bosch (6/6) 3', 13', 21', 40+3', 69', 80'
Referee: Rasta Rasivhenge
31 October Bulls 39–6[upper-alpha 1] Stormers Loftus Versfeld, Pretoria  
19:00 Try: Johan Grobbelaar 23' c,
Stedman Gans 28' c, 50' c,
Ivan van Zyl 34' m,
Ruan Nortjé 37' c
Con: Morné Steyn (4/5) 24', 30', 38', 51'
Pen: Morné Steyn (2/2) 3', 16'
Report Pen: Damian Willemse (2/2) 5', 14' Referee: AJ Jacobs
Bye/s: Cheetahs

Round 5

6 November Sharks 19–13 Cheetahs Jonsson Kings Park, Durban  
19:00 Try: Madosh Tambwe 76' c
Con: Curwin Bosch (1/1) 78'
Pen: Curwin Bosch (4/4) 34', 40+2', 58', 80+1'
Report Try: William Small-Smith 71' c
Con: Tian Schoeman (1/1) 73'
Pen: Tian Schoeman (2/2) 49', 67'
Referee: Cwengile Jadezweni
7 November Griquas 6–39 Stormers Tafel Lager Park, Kimberley  
16:30 Pen: Tinus de Beer (2/2) 13', 42' Report Try: Ernst van Rhyn 8' m,
Neethling Fouche 34' c,
Angelo Davids 47' m,
Dan du Plessis 52' c,
Juarno Augustus 65' m,
Damian Willemse 72' c
Con: Damian Willemse (3/6) 35', 54', 73'
Pen: Damian Willemse (1/1) 17'
Referee: Jaco Peyper
7 November Lions 25–30 Bulls Emirates Airline Park, Johannesburg  
19:00 Try: Burger Odendaal 25' m,
Morné van den Berg 39' c,
Wandisile Simelane 66' c
Con: Elton Jantjies (2/3) 40', 67'
Pen: Elton Jantjies (2/2) 3', 80+2'
Report Try: Joe van Zyl 13' c,
Stedman Gans 50' c,
Kurt-Lee Arendse 71' c
Con: Morné Steyn (3/3) 15', 50', 72'
Pen: Morné Steyn (3/3) 7', 43', 57'
Referee: Rasta Rasivhenge
Bye/s: Pumas

Round 6

13 November Griquas 33–34 Sharks Tafel Lager Park, Kimberley  
19:00 Try: Ederies Arendse 48' c,
Eduan Keyter 53' c,
Gideon van der Merwe 60' c
Con: Tinus de Beer (3/3) 50', 54', 61'
Pen: Tinus de Beer (4/4) 6', 20', 27', 80'
Report Try: Sanele Nohamba 12' c,
Manie Libbok 56' c,
Jeremy Ward 65' c,
Dylan Richardson 67' c
Con: Curwin Bosch (4/4) 13', 58', 66', 69'
Pen: Curwin Bosch (2/2) 44', 80+3
Drop: Curwin Bosch (0/1)
Referee: Griffin Colby
14 November Lions 0–0 Pumas Emirates Airline Park, Johannesburg  
16:30
14 November Stormers 30–13 Cheetahs DHL Newlands, Cape Town  
19:00 Try: Herschel Jantjies 6' c,
Juarno Augustus 45' c,
Warrick Gelant 75' c
Con: Damian Willemse (3/3) 7', 47', 77'
Pen: Damian Willemse (2/2) 21', 70'
Drop: Damian Willemse (1/1) 40'
Report Try: Rosko Specman 64' c
Con: Tian Schoeman (1/1) 65'
Pen: Tian Schoeman (2/2) 32', 44'
Referee: Marius van der Westhuizen
Bye/s: Bulls

On 13 November, the match between the Lions and the Pumas was postponed due to two positive COVID-19 cases found in the second batch of Coronavirus testing within the Pumas squad, following an earlier positive test during the week.[10]

Round 7

21 November Bulls 21–5 Pumas Loftus Versfeld, Pretoria  
14:00 Try: Kurt-Lee Arendse 11' c,
Chris Smith 17' c,
Ivan van Zyl 24' c
Con: Chris Smith (3/3) 12', 18', 26'
Report Try: HP van Schoor 47' m
Con: Theo Boshoff (0/1)
Referee: Aimee Barrett-Theron
21 November Cheetahs 28–9 Griquas Toyota Stadium, Bloemfontein  
16:30 Try: Andisa Ntsila 3' m,
Howard Mnisi 49' m,
Ruben de Haas 74' m,
Jeandré Rudolph 79' c
Con: Tian Schoeman (0/3),
Reinhardt Fortuin (1/1) 80+1'
Pen: Tian Schoeman (2/2) 16', 62'
Report Pen: Tinus de Beer (3/3) 13', 24', 36' Referee: AJ Jacobs
21 November Sharks 0–0 Stormers Jonsson Kings Park, Durban  
19:00
Bye/s: Lions

On 17 November, the match between the Sharks and the Stormers was postponed following positive COVID-19 tests within the Sharks squad. The match between the Bulls and the Pumas was also moved from 20 November to 21 November for player welfare reasons.[11]

  • Notes:
  1. The match between the Bulls and Stormers was abandoned after 63 minutes due to lightning strikes in the surrounding area. The match result is taken from those 63 minutes played with full points awarded.

Players

Player Statistics

Top point scorers [12]
No Player Team Points
1Curwin Bosch Sharks63
2Morné Steyn Bulls62
3Elton Jantjies Lions49
4Damian Willemse Stormers48
5Tinus de Beer Griquas38
6Eddie Fouché Pumas36
Tian Schoeman Cheetahs
7George Whitehead Griquas30
8Stedman Gans Bulls25
9Neil Maritz Pumas20
Rosko Specman Cheetahs
Top try scorers [12]
No Player Team Tries
1Stedman Gans Bulls5
2Neil Maritz Pumas4
Rosko Specman Cheetahs
3Malcolm Jaer Cheetahs3
James Verity-Amm Griquas

Team rosters

Bulls squad[13]
Forwards Tim AgabaArno BothaNizaam CarrCorniel ElsSchalk ErasmusLizo GqobokaJohan GrobbelaarJason JenkinsJuandré KrugerElrigh LouwSintu ManjeziRuan NortjéTrevor NyakaneMornay SmithGerhard SteenekampWalt SteenkampJan UysMuller UysMarcel van der MerweJacques van RooyenJoe van ZylDuane Vermeulen • Jan-Hendrik Wessels
Backs Gio AplonKurt-Lee ArendseStedman GansCornal HendricksTravis Ismaiel • Stravino Jacobs • Marco Jansen van VurenDavid KrielEmbrose PapierChris SmithMorné SteynJade StighlingClinton SwartIvan van Zyl
Coach Jake White
Cheetahs squad[14]
Forwards Wilmar ArnoldiAranos Coetzee • George Cronjé • Aidon DavisCameron DawsonLuan de BruinErich de JagerJP du PreezJacques du ToitIan GroenewaldReniel HugoCharles MaraisChris MassynKhutha MchunuOupa MohojéAndisa NtsilaJunior PokomelaJeandré RudolphVictor SekeketeWalt SteenkampMarnus van der MerweLouis van der WesthuizenHencus van WykBoan VenterReinach VenterCarl WegnerJasper Wiese
Backs Craig BarryClayton BlommetjiesAdriaan CarelseCarel-Jan CoetzeeRuben de HaasReinhardt FortuinMalcolm JaerBenhard Janse van Rensburg • Rewan Kruger • Tapiwa MafuraTian MeyerHoward MnisiRuan Pienaar • Duncan Saal • Tian SchoemanWilliam Small-SmithChris SmitRhyno SmithRosko SpecmanFrançois SteynDries Swanepoel
Coach Hawies Fourie
Griquas squad[15]
Forwards Andrew BeerwinkelEwan Coetzee • CJ Conradie • Fred EksteenCarl ElsIan GroenewaldMonde HadebeJohn-Roy JenkinsonNiell JordaanZandré JordaanSias KoenCameron LindsayHJ LuusMadot MabokelaKhwezi MkhafuJohan MomsenKhwezi MonaNqoba MxoliBandisa NdlovuNJ Oosthuizen • Shaine Orderson • Sibabalo QomaVictor SekeketeAdré SmithGideon van der MerweEwald van der WesthuizenAlandré van RooyenCJ VellemanWendal WehrStefan WillemseMzwanele Zito
Backs Ederies ArendseMasixole BandaBjorn BassonEnver BrandtZak BurgerAshlon DavidsTinus de BeerEarll DouwrieJohnathan FranckeDaniel KasendeEduan KeyterBerton KlaasenHarlon KlaasenTheo MareeChristiaan MeyerChriswill SeptemberAndré SwartsJames Verity-AmmAnthony VolminkGeorge Whitehead
Coach Scott Mathie
Lions squad[16]
Forwards Willem AlbertsPJ BothaJan-Henning CampherHacjivah DayimaniRuan DreyerJannie du PlessisWiehahn Herbst • Francke Horn • Jaco KrielLen MassynNathan McBethReinhard NothnagelMarvin Orie • Asenathi Ntlabakanye • MJ PelserCarlü SadieMarnus SchoemanRuben SchoemanSti SitholeRoelof SmitDylan SmithVincent TshitukaWilhelm van der SluysJaco Visagie
Backs Ross CronjéElton JantjiesDan KrielGianni LombardRabz MaxwaneBurger OdendaalStean PienaarMannie RassDivan RossouwWandisile SimelaneCourtnall SkosanDillon SmitTiaan SwanepoelJamba UlengoMorné van den BergEW ViljoenAndré Warner
Coach Ivan van Rooyen
Pumas squad[17]
Forwards Heath BackhouseMarné CoetzeeStephan de JagerKwanda DimazaWillie EngelbrechtWikus GroenewaldLiam HendricksPieter Jansen van VurenMarko Janse van RensburgFrancois KleinhansRuan KramerDarrien LandsbergAJ le RouxCameron LindsayDaniel MaartensPhumzile MaqondwanaDewald MaritzMorgan Naudé • Ewart Potgieter • Ig PrinslooLe Roux RoetsJeandré Rudolph • Hanru Sirgel • Brandon ValentynHP van SchoorSimon Westraadt
Backs Dian BadenhorstTheo BoshoffErich CronjéEddie FouchéRuwellyn IsbellMorné Joubert • Japie Kleinhans • Tapiwa MafuraNiel MaraisNeil MaritzAli MgijimaRyan NellLuther ObiChriswill SeptemberGinter Smuts • Giovanne Snyman • Etienne TaljaardWayne van der BankAlwayno VisagieDevon Williams
Coach Jimmy Stonehouse
Sharks squad[18]
Forwards Hyron AndrewsThembelani BholiCraig BurdenPhepsi ButheleziZain DavidsThomas du ToitAndrew EvansCelimpilo Gumede • Hanru Jacobs • Dan JoosteMichael Kumbirai • Cleopas Kundiona • Mzamo MajolaFez MbathaKhutha MchunuJohn-Hubert MeyerKhwezi MonaTera MtembuOx NchéSikhumbuzo NotsheDylan RichardsonEvan RoosJJ van der Mescht • Emile van Heerden • Ruben van HeerdenKerron van VuurenHenco VenterJames Venter
Backs Thaakir AbrahamsLukhanyo AmCurwin Bosch • Jordan Chait • Boeta Chamberlain • Caleb Dingaan • Muller du PlessisAphelele Fassi • Jaden Hendrikse • Werner KokMurray KosterManie LibbokMarius LouwSbu NkosiSanele NohambaYaw PenxeJP PietersenMadosh TambweAnthony VolminkJeremy WardGrant WilliamsCameron Wright
Coach Sean Everitt
Stormers squad[19]
Forwards Juarno AugustusKwenzo BloseJaco CoetzeeBen-Jason DixonJohan du ToitPieter-Steph du ToitNeethling FouchéSteven KitshoffSiya Kolisi • JJ Kotze • Leon LyonsFrans MalherbeBongi MbonambiDavid MeihuizenSalmaan MoeratScarra NtubeniSazi SandiJD SchickerlingChad SolomonMarcel TheunissenErnst van RhynChris van ZylNama Xaba
Backs Angelo DavidsPaul de WetDan du PlessisRyno EksteenWarrick GelantMichal Haznar • Lyle Hendricks • Herschel Jantjies • Tristan Leyds • Godlen Masimla • Matt More • Ruhan Nel • Sihle Njezula • Sergeal PetersenRikus PretoriusSeabelo Senatla • Christopher Schreuder • Cornel Smit • Tim SwielEdwill van der Merwe • Abner van Reenen • Damian WillemseKade WolhuterLeolin Zas • Mnombo Zwelendaba
Coach John Dobson

See also

References

  1. "Super Rugby Unlocked fixtures announced". Rugby Rocks. 28 September 2020. Archived from the original on 5 October 2020.
  2. 1 2 Jacobs, Rudolph (29 September 2020). "Fixtures released as local teams gear up for Super Rugby Unlocked". The Citizen. Archived from the original on 5 October 2020.
  3. 1 2 3 "SA rugby teams to play for 2 titles: Super Rugby Unlocked and Currie Cup". News 24. 19 September 2020. Archived from the original on 19 September 2020.
  4. "Super Rugby season to shut down for the 'foreseeable future' at end of current round". foxsports.com.au. 15 March 2020. Archived from the original on 15 March 2020.
  5. "SA Rugby announces new seven-team 'Super Rugby Unlocked' competition". The 42. 28 September 2020. Archived from the original on 5 October 2020.
  6. "Bulls down Pumas to secure Super Rugby Unlocked crown". Super Rugby. 22 November 2021. Archived from the original on 23 November 2020.
  7. 1 2 "Vodacom Super Rugby Unlocked Preview". SuperSport. 9 October 2020. Archived from the original on 28 November 2020.
  8. "Plug pulled on Lions vs Cheetahs match following outbreak". RugbyPass. 24 October 2020. Retrieved 4 November 2020.
  9. "Cheetahs-Lions match declared a draw". SA Rugby Magazine. 4 November 2020. Retrieved 4 November 2020.
  10. "Emirates Lions v Phakisa Pumas match falls to COVID-19". SA Rugby. 13 November 2020. Retrieved 17 November 2020.
  11. "Players cautioned as COVID strikes again". SA Rugby. 17 November 2020. Retrieved 17 November 2020.
  12. 1 2 "VODACOM SUPER RUGBY UNLOCKED". SA Rugby. Retrieved 10 October 2021.
  13. "Vodacom Bulls 2020 Squad". Bulls. Retrieved 6 October 2020.
  14. "Players in Super Rugby Unlocked". Cheetahs. Retrieved 6 October 2020.
  15. "'Trekvoël' Davids maak GW sy tuiste". Netwerk24 (in Afrikaans). 31 October 2019. Retrieved 1 November 2019.
  16. "Lions Rugby Vodacom Super Rugby Unlocked squad". Lions. Retrieved 6 October 2020.
  17. "The Pumas Rugby Team". Pumas Rugby. Retrieved 6 October 2020.
  18. "Vodacom Super Rugby Unlocked Squad". Sharks. Retrieved 6 October 2020.
  19. "DHL Stormers Squad for Vodacom Super Rugby Unlocked" (Press release). Stormers. 7 October 2020. Retrieved 8 October 2020.
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