Unsurprisingly the Crusaders are back in a Super rugby Final - far and away the most successful team in the history of Super rugby. This will be their tenth Final.

Of the nine already played they have won eight and lost two - both away from Christchurch.

In the beginning there were six teams. In 1986 New Zealand started the AGC South Pacific Championship. It started quietly, as most things do in the rugby's conservative world. The competition was dominated by Auckland.

Super Six winners

1986: Auckland
1987: Auckland and Canterbury
1988: Auckland
1989: Auckland
1990: Auckland
1991: No competition
1992: Queensland

South Africa was back in international rugby in 1992 and the Super 6 became the Super 10 in 1993. The ten teams in 1993 were Western Samoa, Queensland, Otago, Auckland and Natal in Pool A, and Waikato, North Harbour, Transvaal, Northern Transvaal and New South Wales in Pool B. In the final Transvaal beat Auckland 20-17 at Ellis Park.

Apart from Western Samoa the teams taking part were provincial teams, determined in the case of New Zealand and South Africa by standings in the provincial championship

In 1994 Eastern Province replaced Northern Transvaal. This time Queensland won, beating Natal in the final. Natal got there with four free points when New South Wales decided Durban was too dangerous a place and refused to travel there, shades of Wales and Scotland in 1973 when they refused to go to Ireland.

Queensland won again in 1995 when they thrashed Transvaal.

Super 10 winners

1993: Transvaal
1994: Queensland
1995: Queensland

Super 10 Finals

1993: Transvaal vs Auckland, 20-17 at Ellis Park on 22 May 1993

Scorers:

For Transvaal:
Tries: Schmidt 2, Pienaar
Con: Van Rensburg
Pen: Van Rensburg

For Auckland:
Tries: Tuigamala, Stensness
Cons: Fox 2
Pen: Fox

Teams

Transvaal: Theo Pienaar, Pieter Hendriks, Bernard Fourie, Japie Mulder, Chris Dirks, Hennie le Roux, Johan Roux, Deon Lötter, Ian Macdonald, François Pienaar, Hannes Strydom, Kobus Wiese, Johan le Roux, Uli Schmidt, Balie Swart

Auckland: Shane Howarth, Terry Wright, Eroni Clarke, Lee Stensness, Va'aiga Tuigamala, Grant Fox, Nu Nu'uali'itia, Michael Jones, Mark Carter, Brendan Jackson, replaced by Zinzan Brooke, Richard Fromont, Robin Brooke, Olo Brown, Sean Fitzpatrick, Craig Dowd

Referee: Freek Burger

1994: Queensland beat Natal 21-10 at King's Park on 14 May 1994

Scorers:

For Queensland:
Tries: Lea, Scott-Young
Con: Lynagh
Pens: Lynagh 2
Drop: Lynagh

For Natal:
Try: Van der Westhuizen
Con: Joubert
Pen: Joubert

Teams:

Natal: André Joubert, Cabous van der Westhuizen, Pieter Müller, replaced by Andy Marinos, Jeremy Thomson, replaced by Shaun Payne, James Small, Henry Honiball, Robert du Preez, Gary Teichmann, Andrew Blakeway, Wahl Bartmann (captain), Steve Atherton, John Slade, Adrian Garvey, John Allan, Guy Kebble

Queensland: Matthew Pini, Damian Smith, Jason Little, replaced by Paul Carozza, Tim Horan, replaced by Anthony Herbert, Barry Lea, Michael Lynagh, Peter Slattery (captain), Sam Scott-Young, Ilie Tabua, replaced by John Eales, David Wilson, Rod McCall, Garrick Morgan, Adrian Skeggs, Michael Foley, Cameron Lillicrap

Referee: Glen Wahlstrom

1995: Queensland vs Transvaal, 30-16 at Ellis Park

Scorers:

For Queensland:
Tries: Connors, Little, Johnstone, Smith
Cons: Eales 2
Pen: Eales
Drop: Kahl

For Transvaal:
Try: Roux
Con: De Beer
Drops: De Beer 3

Teams:

Transvaal: Gavin Johnson, Jannie van der Walt, Christiaan Scholtz, replaced by Japie Mulder, Hennie le Roux, Pieter Hendriks, Jannie de Beer, Johan Roux, Rudolf Straeuli (captain), Charles Rossouw, Gerhard Combrinck, Hannes Strydom, Kobus Wiese, Ian Hattingh, Chris Rossouw, Balie Swart

Queensland: Matthew Pini, Damian Smith, Daniel Herbert, Jason Little, Paul Carozza, Paul Kahl, Peter Slattery (captain), replaced by Brett Johnstone, Troy Coker, replaced by Mark Connors, Ilie Tabua, David Wilson, John Eales, Rod McCall, Dan Crowley, replaced by Matt Ryan, Michael Foley, Andrew Blades

Referee: Paddy O'Brien

The Super 12 was more than a change in numbers. Now there was a body, called SANZAR, made up of the three unions South Africa, New Zealand and Australia and an R for rugby. It would become more and more powerful in rugby, even though it had no authority over its constituent bodies. It organised the Super 12 - five from New Zealand, four from Australia and three from Australia. The 1996 Super 12 was rugby's first professional competition.

New Zealand quickly went for regional teams and Australia's third province, Canberra, became an interprovincial body. Eventually South Africa also went in for regional teams, but the competition remained dominated by New Zealand teams. There were no pools in this system which meant a great deal of travelling for the teams. This was especially hard on South African teams who set off for a six-week tour of Australia and New Zealand. :

The competition received enormous coverage and was accompanied by much glitter and razzmatazz.

The teams in the first Super 12 were Natal, Western Province, Waikato, Canterbury, Otago, Queensland, ACT, Transvaal, Wellington, Northern Transvaal, New South Wales and Auckland.

Later the teams would acquire different names and their gear changed regularly, a long was from rugby's normal conservatism. In fact the Super 12 was not for the conservative.

In 1999 the teams in the Super 12 were the Sharks, Northern Bulls, Stormers, Cats, Auckland Blues, Wellington Hurricanes, Canterbury Crusaders, Otago Highlanders, ACT Brumbies, Queensland Reds and NSW Waratahs.

The teams have since become single-named.

 Super 12 winners

1996: Auckland
1997: Auckland Blues
1998: Canterbury Crusaders
1999: Canterbury Crusaders
2000: Crusaders
2001: Brumbies
2002: Crusaders
2003: Blues
2004: Brumbies
2005: Crusaders

In 2006 the Super 12 grew into the Super 14 with an additional team from Australia - the Western Force - and an additional team from South Africa - the Bloemfontein-based Cheetahs who split from their uncomfortable alliance with the Cats, based in Johannesburg,

Super 12 Finals

1996: Auckland vs Natal, 45-21 at Eden Park on 25 May

Natal had a great win over Queensland in Brisbane and flew over to Auckland with high hopes. Jonah Lomu soon brought them bumping down to earth, and in no time Auckland were ahead 20-3. Back came Natal to 20-16 but Auckland then made the game safe.

Scorers:

For Auckland:
Tries: Blowers 2, Lomu, Spencer, Clarke, Riechelmann
Cons: Cashmore 3
Pens: Cashmore 3

For Natal:
Tries: Joubert, Small
Con: Honiball
Pens: Honiball 3

Teams:

Auckland: Adrian Cashmore, Jonah Lomu, Johnny Ngauamo, Eroni Clarke, Joeli Vidiri, Carlos Spencer, Ofisa Tonu'u, Zinzan Brooke (captain), Michael Jones, Andrew Blowers, Charles Reichelmann, Robin Brooke, Craig Dowd, Sean Fitzpatrick, Olo Brown.

Natal: Andre Joubert, James Small, Jeremy Thomson, Dick Muir, Cabous van der Westhuizen, Henry Honiball, Kevin Putt, Gary Teichmann (captain),Wayne Fyvie, Wickus van Heerden, Stephen Atherton, Mark Andrews, Ollie le Roux, John Allan, Adrian Garvey

Referee: Wayne Erickson (Australia)

1997: Auckland Blues vs ACT Brumbies, 23-7 at Eden Park on 31 May 1997

The rains came down and the Brumbies forwards stood up to the powerful Auckland pack which had only one player who was not an All Black. The scoreline looks comfortable for Auckland, the favourites, who deserved to win, but in the end it was only by two tries to one and Michael Jones's had intercepted to score one of them.

Scorers

For Auckland Blues:
Tries: Dowd, Michael Jones
Cons: Cashmore 2
Pens: Cashmore 3

For ACT Brumbies:
Try: Roff
Con: Roff

Teams:

Auckland Blues: Adrian Cashmore, Brian Lima, Eroni Clarke, Lee Stensness, Joeli Vidiri, Carlos Spencer, Ofisa Tonu'u, Zinzan Brooke (captain), Michael Jones, Mark Carter, Robin Brooke, Leo Lafaiali'i, Craig Dowd, Sean Fitzpatrick, Olo Brown.

ACT Brumbies: Stephen Larkham, Mitch Hardy, James Holbeck, Pat Howard, Joe Roff, David Knox, George Gregan, Troy Coker, Brett Robinson (captain), Owen Finegan, John Langford, David Giffin, Patricio Noriega, Marco Caputo, Ewen McKenzie .

Referee: Tappe Henning (South Africa)

1998: Canterbury Crusaders vs Auckland Blues, 20-13 at Eden Park on 30 May 1998

The rise of the Crusaders was remarkable. After four matches Canterbury were last on the table. They scraped past Natal at home (four tries for, five against). Auckland had ended the pre-knock-out rounds top and so had a home final.
 
At half-time the score was 3-0 to Canterbury. In the second half the Blues got ahead 10-3, but Canterbury came back to level the scores. Five minutes from the end the score was 3-all. Andrew Mehrtens chipped, the ball eluded two Auckland defenders and James Kerr flopped onto it for a strange try.

Scorers

For Canterbury Crusaders:
Tries: Maxwell, Kerr
Cons: Mehrtens 2
Pens: Mehrtens 2

For Auckland Blues:
Try: Christian
Con: Cashmore
Pen: Cashmore
Drop: Cashmore

Teams:

Canterbury Crusaders: Daryl Gibson, James Kerr, Tabai Matson (Tony Marsh), Mark Mayerhofler (Blair Feeney), Norm Barryman (Daryl Lilley), Andrew Mehrtens, Aaron Flynn, Steve Surridge, Scott Robertson (Angus Gardiner), Todd Blackadder (captain), Reuben Thorne, Norm Maxwell, Stu Loe, Mark Hammett, Kevin Nepia (Greg Feek)

Auckland Blues: Adrian Cashmore, Joeli Vidiri, Eroni Clarke, Lee Stensness,Caleb Ralph, Carlos Spencer, Ofisa Tonu'u, Xavier Rush, Mark Carter, Michael Jones (captain), Robin Brooke, Royce Willis, Olo Brown James Christian, Craig Dowd

Referee: Paddy O'Brien (New Zealand)

1999: Canterbury Crusaders vs Otago Highlanders, 24-19 at Carisbrook on 20 May 1999

For the third year in succession both finalists were New Zealand teams. For the second year in a row Canterbury Crusaders played away from home and won and for the second year in a row the favourites lost. This year the final was an all-South Island affair.

Canterbury Crusaders only just made it to the semi-final and then won well against Queensland in Brisbane while Otago Highlanders thrashed the Stormers in Cape Town to get into the final.

It was the best Super 12 final to date and in the end the issue was decided by the boot of Andrew Mehrtens. The Highlanders led 14-9 at half-time after Brian Lima had started a counterattack and finished it off a short pass from Byron Kelleher. The Crusaders went ahead in the second half with two excellent tries, first when Daryl Gibson took a short pass from Mehrtens to score and then a brilliant effort by Afato So'oalo who beat Lima and then won a chip-and-chase to score. This made the score 21-14. Mehrtens added a drop and when Isitolo Maka scored three minutes from the end the match was, to all intents and purposes, won.

Scorers

For Canterbury Crusaders:
Tries: Gibson, So'oalo
Con: Mehrtens
Drop: Mehrtens
Pens: Mehrtens 3

For Otago Highlanders:
Tries: Lima, Maka;
Drop: Laney
Pens: Brown 2

Teams:

Canterbury Crusaders: Leon MacDonald, Caleb Ralph, Daryl Gibson, Norm Berryman ,Afato So'oalo, Andrew Mehrtens, Justin Marshall, Steve Surridge, Reuben Thorne, Angus Gardiner, Norm Maxwell, Todd Blackadder (captain), Greg Feek, Mark Hammett, Greg Somerville

Otago Highlanders: Jeff Wilson, Brendan Laney, Pita Alatini, Romi Ropati,, Brian Lima, Tony Brown, Byron Kelleher, Isitolo Maka, Taine Randell (captain), Josh Kronfeld, Brendon Timmins, John Blaikie, Kees Meeuws, Anton Oliver, Carl Hoeft.

Referee: André Watson (South Africa)

2000: Crusaders vs Brumbies, 20-19 at Bruce Stadium, 27 May 2000

The Brumbies had ended top of the table with the Crusaders second. That meant a Canberra final after they had each demolished the hopes of their opponents in the semi-finals.

Bruce Stadium was freezing for this night final. Andrew Mehrtens matched the weather with his icy nerve. Where Stirling Mortlock missed four out of nine, Mehrtens goaled five out of six, including the match-winning penalty at the dying of the match.

Scorers

For Crusaders:
Try: Cribb
Pens: Mehrtens 5

For Brumbies:
Try: Smith
Con: Mortlock
Pens: Mortlock 4

Teams:

Brumbies: Andrew Walker, Joe Roff, Rod Kafer, Stirling Mortlock, Mark Bartholomeusz, Stephen Larkham, George Gregan, Jim Williams, Ipolito Fenukitau, Brett Robinson (captain), Justin Harrison, David Giffin, Patricio Noriega, Jeremy Paul, Bill Young.

Canterbury Crusaders: Leon MacDonald, Caleb Ralph, Daryl Gibson, Mark Robinson, Marika Vunibaka, Andrew Mehrtens, Ben Hurst, Ron Cribb, Reuben Thorne, Scott Robertson 5 Norm Maxwell, Todd Blackadder (captain), Greg Feek, Mark Hammett, Greg Somerville

Referee: André Watson (South Africa)

2001: Brumbies vs Sharks, 30-6 at Bruce Stadium on 19 May 2001

The Brumbies were top, the Sharks second. So the final was in Canberra.

This was the first time a non-New Zealand team had won the Super 12, the first time no New Zealand team had made the semi-final.

The Sharks had beaten the Brumbies in the home matches but were well beaten in the second half of the final. After missing six kicks at goal in the first half, the Sharks were still level at 6-all at half-time. The Brumbies galloped away with the second half.

Scorers

For Brumbies:
Tries: Roff 2, Giffin
Cons: Walker 3
Pens: Walker 5

For Sharks:
Pens: James 2

Teams:

Brumbies: Andrew Walker, Joe Roff, James Holbeck, Rod Kafer, Graeme Bond, Steve Larkham, George Gregan (captain), Jim Williams, George Smith, Peter Ryan, Justin Harrison, David Giffin, Ben Darwin, Jeremy Paul, Bill Young

Sharks: Ricardo Loubscher, Justin Swart, Trevor Halstead, Deon Kayser, Stefan Terblanche, Butch James, Craig Davidson, AJ Venter, Charl van Rensburg, Warren Britz, Albert van den Berg, Mark Andrews (captain), Ollie le Roux, John Smit, Etienne Fynn.

Referee: Paddy O'Brien (New Zealand)

2002: Crusaders vs Brumbies, 31-13 at Jade Stadium, 25 May 2002

It was the perfect Super 12 for the Crusaders. They played 13 and won 13. They scored 30 points or more in every one of the 13 matches. They were by some way the best side in the 2002 Super 12. In the last round of the league they played the second-placed Waratahs and beat them 96-19

The margin of victory in the final is a big one but with seven minutes to play they led just 14-13, but then Caleb Ralph scored two tries in three minutes.

Scorers

For Crusaders:
Tries: Ralph 2, Vunibaka
Cons: Mehrtens 2
Drop: Mehrtens
Pens: Mehrtens 3

For Brumbies:
Try: Walker
Con: Walker
Pens: Walker 2

Teams:

Brumbies: Mark Bartholomeusz, Graeme Bond, Stirling Mortlock, Pat Howard, Andrew Walker, Stephen Larkham, George Gregan, Scott Fava, George Smith, Owen Finegan, Justin Harrison, Daniel Vickerman, Ben Darwin, Jeremy Paul, Bill Young.

Canterbury Crusaders: Leon MacDonald, Marika Vunibaka, Mark Robinson, Aaron Mauger, Caleb Ralph, Andrew Mehrtens, Justin Marshall, Scott Robertson, Richie McCaw, Reuben Thorne (captain), Norm Maxwell, Chris Jack, Greg Feek, Mark Hammett, Greg Somerville

Referee: André Watson (South Africa)

2003: Blues vs Crusaders, 21-17 at Eden Park, 24 May 2003

The Crusaders did not win! That seems astonishing given their magnificent record in Super 12 finals, but for the second year in a row they did not hoist the trophy in triumph.

Missing from most of the Crusaders' campaign was veteran points' machine Andrew Mehrtens. He was largely displaced by young Daniel Carter.

In the end kicking counted. The Crusaders, who led 10-6 at half-time, scored three tries to two but lost to Carlos Spencer's boot. Mehrtens came on as a replacement for Marika Vunibaka just before half-time but managed only a single conversion,

Scorers

For Blues:
Tries: Howlett, Braid
Con: Spencer
Pens: Spencer 3

For Crusaders:
Tries: Hammett 2, Ralph
Con: Mehrtens

Teams:

Blues: Doug Howlett, Rico Gear, Mils Muliaina, Sam Tuitupou, Joe Rokocoko, Carlos Spencer, David Gibson, Xavier Rush (captain), Daniel Braid, Justin Collins, Ali Williams, Angus MacDonald, Kees Meeuws, Keven Mealamu, Deacon Manu.
Replacements: Derren Witcombe, Tony Woodcock, Bradley Mika , Mose Tuiali'i, Craig McGrath, Orene Ai'i, Lee Stensness.

Crusaders: Leon MacDonald, Marika Vunibaka, Caleb Ralph, Daniel Carter, Joe Maddock, Aaron Mauger, Justin Marshall, Scott Robertson, Richard McCaw, Reuben Thorne (captain), Chris Jack, Brad Thorn, Greg Somerville, Mark Hammett, David Hewett.
Replacements: Slade McFarland, Greg Feek, Sam Broomhall, Johnny Leo'o, Ben Hurst. Andrew Mehrtens, Scott Hamilton

Referee: André Watson (South Africa)

2004: Brumbies vs Crusdares, 47-38 at Canberra Stadium, 22 May 2004

It was a brilliant final with 13 tries. The number of tries says it all. Numerous match, team and individual records were broken.

After just 18 minutes the Brumbies led an incredible 33-0 after scoring five brilliant tries. By half-time it was 33-14, and even though the proud Crusaders fought back they could not overall the energetic Brumbies.

Scorers

For Brumbies:
Tries: Joe Roff 2, Mark Gerrard 3, Matt Giteau, Jeremy Paul
Cons: Joe Roff 6

For Crusaders:
Tries: Aaron Mauger, Daniel Carter, Richie McCaw, Brad Thorn, Chris King, Casey Laulala
Cons: Daniel Carter 4

Teams:

Brumbies: Joe Roff, Mark Gerrard, Joel Wilson, Matt Giteau, Clyde Rathbone, Stephen Larkham, George Gregan, Scott Fava, George Smith, Owen Finegan (captain), Radike Samo, Mark Chisholm, 3 Nic Henderson, Jeremy Paul, Bill Young
Replacements: David Palavi, Guy Shepherdson, David Giffin, Jone Tawake, Matt Henjak, Lenny Beckett, Mark Bartholomeusz

Crusaders: Ben Blair, Marika Vunibaka, Aaron Mauger, Daniel Carter, Marika Vunibaka, Cameron McIntyre, Justin Marshall, Sam Broomhall, Reuben Thorne (captain), Richie McCaw, Brad Thorn, Chris Jack, 3 Greg Somerville, Tone Kopelani, David Hewett.
Replacements: Corey Flynn, Chris King, Ross Filipo, Johnny Leo'o, Andrew Mehrtens, Jamie Nutbrown, Casey Laulala.

Referee: André Watson (South Africa)

2005: Crusaders vs Waratahs, 35-25 at Jade Stadium

The laughing Crusaders were simply at their best, running free, supporting one another and scoring tries. At half-time they led only 14-6 but that soon grew to 35-6 before three late tries made the willing Waratahs look more competitive.

It was the 690th and last Super 12 match of all time as SANZAR expanded the competition to the Super 14.

Not only did the Crusaders win the last ever Super 12 tournament, but they have won as many titles in the past 10 years (five) as all other 11 teams put together. The other five titles went to the Blues (three) and the Brumbies (two).

Scorers

For Crusaders:
Tries: Hamilton, MacDonald, Hewett, Ralph
Cons: Carter 3
Pens: Carter 2
Drop: Mauger

For Waratahs:
Tries: Rogers 2, Waugh
Cons: Hewat, Rogers
Pens: Hewat 2

Teams:

Crusaders: Leon MacDonald, Rico Gear, Caleb Ralph, Aaron Mauger, Scott Hamilton, Daniel Carter, Justin Marshall, Mose Tuiali'i, Richie McCaw (captain), Reuben Thorne, Ross Filipo, Chris Jack, Greg Somerville, Corey Flynn, Dave Hewett.
Replacements: Tone Kopelani, Campbell Johnstone, Sam Broomhall, Johnny Leo'o, Jamie Nutbrown, Andrew Mehrtens, Casey Laulala.

Waratahs: Mat Rogers, Peter Hewat, Morgan Turinui, Nathan Grey, Lote Tuqiri, Lachlan MacKay, Chris Whitaker (captain), David Lyons, Phil Waugh, Rocky Elsom, Daniel Vickerman, Justin Harrison, Alastair Baxter, Brendan Cannon, Matt Dunning.
Replacements: Adam Freier, Gareth Hardy, Alex Kanaar, Stephen Hoiles, Chris O'Young, Shaun Berne, Cameron Shepherd.

Referee: Jonathan Kaplan (South Africa)

Super 14 Winners

2006: Crusaders
2007: Bulls 
2008: Crusaders
2009: Bulls
2010: Bulls

2006: Crusaders vs Hurricanes, 19-12 at Jade Stadium, 27 May 2006

It was an historic final - the first Super 14 final. It was also an eerie final as a fog settled over Jade Stadium jyust before the stafrt of the match. Spooky players flitted in and out of partial view and at the m,ost the crowd noise rose to a murmur.

The fog was about all that made the match memorable. There was just one try. From a scrum five metres from the Hurricanes' line, Kevin Senio gave immediately to Dan Carter. Casey Laulala cut back onto Carter's inside and took the switched pass. He was running straight, got past sprawling Piri Weepu and was over near the posts in Chris Masoe's tackle. Carter converted.

Scorers

For the Crusaders:
Try: Laulala
Con: Carter
Pens: Carter 4

For the Hurricanes:
Pens: Weepu, Holwell, Gopperth 2

Teams:

Crusaders: 15 Leon MacDonald, 14 Rico Gear, 13 Casey Laulala, 12 Aaron Mauger, 11 Scott Hamilton, 10 Daniel Carter, 9 Kevin Senio, 8 Mose Tuiali'i, 7 Richard McCaw (captain), 6 Reuben Thorne, 5 Ross Filipo, 4 Chris Jack, 3 Greg Somerville, 2 Corey Flynn, 1 Wyatt Crockett.
Replacements: 16 Tone Kopelani, 17 Campbell Johnstone, 18 Johnny Leo'o, 19 Tanerau Latimer, 20 Stephen Brett, 21 Cameron McIntyre, 22 Caleb Ralph

Hurricanes: 15 Isaia Toeava, 14 Lome Fa'atau, 13 Ma'a Nonu, 12 Tana Umaga, 11 Shannon Paku, 10 David Holwell, 9 Piri Weepu, 8 Rodney So'oialo (captain), 7 Chris Masoe, 6 Jerry Collins, 5 Jason Eaton, 4 Paul Tito, 3 Neemia Tialata, 2 Andrew Hore, 1 John Schwalger.
Replacements: 16 Luke Mahoney, 17 Joe McDonnell, 18 Luke Andrews, 19 Thomas Waldrom, 20 Brendan Haami, 21 Jimmy Gopperth, 22 Tamati Ellison

Referee: Jonathan Kaplan (South Africa)

2007: Bulls vs Sharks, 20-19 at Absa Stadium, Durban

History was made. There were two South African teams in the Final.

The finish to the match was agonising. The Sharks led for 82 minutes but in the 83rd minute, Bryan Habana. shoulders hunched, went swerving, speeding, inside Bob Skinstad and past Beat Mtawarira to dive over for the try that put his team within a point of victory. Derick Hougaard kicked the easy conversion and at last the final whistle sounded.

That winning try took two minutes to make. The Sharks led 18-13 after a try by Albert van den Berg but the Bulls threw everything at them. Victor Matfield of the Bulls started a counterattack deep in Bulls territory.

Scorers:

For the Sharks:
Tries: Pietersen, Van den Berg
Pens: Montgomery 3

For the Bulls:
Tries: Spies, Habana
Cons: Hougaard 2
Pens: Hougaard 2

Teams:

Sharks: 15 Percy Montgomery, 14 Francois Steyn, 13 Waylon Murray, 12 Brad Barritt, 11 JP Pietersen, 10 Butch James, 9 Ruan Pienaar, 8 Ryan Kankowski, 7 AJ Venter, 6 Jacques Botes, 5 Johann Muller, 4 Johan Ackermann, 3 BJ Botha, 2 John Smit (captain), 1 Deon Carstens
Replacements: 16 Bismarck du Plessis, 17 Tendai Mtawarira, 18 Albert van den Berg, 19 Warren Britz, 20 Bob Skinstad, 21 Rory Kockott, 22 Adrian Jacobs

Bulls: 15 Johan Roets, 14 Akona Ndungane, 13 JP Nel, 12 Wynand Olivier, 11 Bryan Habana, 10 Derick Hougaard, 9 Fourie du Preez, 8 Pierre Spies, 7 Wikus van Heerden, 6 Pedrie Wannenburg, 5 Victor Matfield (captain), 4 Bakkies Botha, 3 Rayno Gerber, 2 Gary Botha, 1 Gurthro Steenkamp.
Replacements: 16 Jaco Engels, 17 Danie Thiart, 18 Danie Rossouw, 19 Derick Kuün, 20 Heinie Adams, 21 Morné Steyn, 22 Jaco van der Westhuyzen

Referee: Steve Walsh (New Zealand)

2008

Crusaders vs Waratahs, 20-12

2009

Bulls vs Chiefs, 61-17

The Bulls' score is by some way the biggest score in a Super Rugby Final. It is the biggest winning margin in Super Rugby.

The Chiefs started well when they counterattacked and Lelia Masaga opened the scoring with a try. But soon afterwards Fourie du Preez scored two tries and the Chiefs were on their way to a hiding.

Scorers:

For Bulls:
Tries: Du Preez 2, Habana 2, Matfield, Olivier, Spies, Rossouw
Con: Steyn 5, Francis
Pen: Steyn 2
Drop: Steyn

For Chiefs:
Tries: Masaga, Muliaina
Con: Donald 2
Pen: Donald

Teams

Bulls: 15 Zane Kirchner, 14 Akona Ndungane, 13 Jaco Pretorius, 12 Wynand Olivier, 11 Bryan Habana, 10 Morné Steyn, 9 Fourie du Preez, 8 Pierre Spies, 7 Dewald Potgieter, 6 Deon Stegmann, 5 Victor Matfield (c), 4 Bakkies Botha, 3 Werner Kruger, 2 Derick Kuün, 1 Gurthrö Steenkamp.
Replacements: 16 Chiliboy Ralepelle, 17 Rayno Gerber, 18 Danie Rossouw, 19 Pedrie Wannenburg, 20 Heini Adams, 21 Burton Francis, 22 Marius Delport.

Chiefs: 15 Mils Muliaina (c), 14 Lelia Masaga, 13 Richard Kahui, 12 Callum Bruce, 11 Dwayne Sweeney, 10 Stephen Donald, 9 Toby Morland, 8 Sione Lauaki, 7 Tanerau Latimer, 6 Liam Messam, 5 Kevin O'Neill, 4 Craig Clarke, 3 James McGougan, 2 Aled de Malmanche, 1 Sona Taumalolo.
Replacements: 16 Hika Elliot, 17 Joe Savage, 18 Toby Lynn, 19 Serge Lilo, 20 David Bason, 21 Mike Delany, 22 Sosene Anesi.

Referee: Jonathan Kaplan

2010

Bulls vs Stormers, 25-17

There was histoiry in this - the last Super 14 match, the first Super match played in Soweto, a high successful ventre by the Blue Bulls whose home match it was.

Dignitaries were there - the President of South Africa, Jacob Zuma, who was due to leave but delayed his departure. "I could not lose this important moment of history-making in our country." The Leader of the Opposition, Helen Zille was there. As she is also the premier of the Western Cape she had no hesitation in declaring her support for the Stormers. "I have never been so excited since the last election."

The Stormers may have scored two tries to one but the Bulls were really full value for their victory - dominating possession and territory as they used muscle and cohesion to dominate the Stormers.

Scorers:

For the Bulls:
Try: Hougaard
Con: Steyn
Pens: Steyn 6

For the Stormers:
Tries: Habana, Pieter Louw
Cons: Grant 2
Pen: Grant

Teams:

Bulls: 15 Zane Kirchner, 14 Gerhard van den Heever, 13 Jaco Pretorius, 12 Wynand Olivier, 11 François Hougaard, 10 Morné Steyn, 9 Fourie du Preez, 8 Pierre Spies, 7 Dewald Potgieter, 6 Deon Stegmann, 5 Victor Matfield (captain), 4 Danie Rossouw, 3 Werner Kruger, 2 Gary Botha, 1 Gürthro Steenkamp.
Replacements: 16 Bandise Maku, 17 Bees Roux, 18 Flip van der Merwe, 19 Derick Kuün, 20 Jacques-Louis Potgieter, 21 Jaco van der Westhuyzen, 22 Pedrie Wannenburg.

Stormers: 15 Joe Pietersen, 14 Gio Aplon, 13 Jaque Fourie, 12 Juan de Jongh, 11 Bryan Habana, 10 Peter Grant, 9 Dewaldt Duvenage, 8 Duane Vermeulen, 7 Francois Louw, 6 Schalk Burger (captain), 5 Andries Bekker, 4 Adriaan Fondse, 3 Brok Harris, 2 Tiaan Liebenberg, 1 Wicus Blaauw.
Replacements: 16 Deon Fourie, 17 JC Kritzinger, 18 Anton van Zyl, 19 Pieter Louw, 20 Ricky Januarie, 21 Willem de Waal, 22 Tim Whitehead.

Referee: Craig Joubert