Points for Super Rugby byes scrapped

PRETORIA, SOUTH AFRICA - AUGUST 24: Elton Jantjies, Lionel Cronje and Anthony Volmink of the Lions celebrate during the Absa Currie Cup match between Vodacom Blue Bulls and MTN Golden Lions from Lofus Versfeld Stadium on August 24, 2013 in Pretoria, South Africa. (Photo by Lee Warren/Gallo Images

PRETORIA, SOUTH AFRICA - AUGUST 24: Elton Jantjies, Lionel Cronje and Anthony Volmink of the Lions celebrate during the Absa Currie Cup match between Vodacom Blue Bulls and MTN Golden Lions from Lofus Versfeld Stadium on August 24, 2013 in Pretoria, South Africa. (Photo by Lee Warren/Gallo Images

Published Feb 14, 2014

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Johannesburg – Super 15 sides will not receive four points this season when they have a bye, the organisers announced Friday.

Introduced to the southern hemisphere inter-provincial rugby union championship several seasons ago, the rule guaranteed teams eight points each year from two byes.

Organisers Sanzar said the bye points were scrapped “with the fan in mind to make it easier to follow competition progress –

particularly the latter stages of the season”.

Teams earn four points for a win, two for a draw, and one for losing by seven or less points or scoring at least four tries in a game.

The annual competition starts Saturday with two South African derbies, involving the Cheetahs and Lions in Bloemfontein and the Sharks and Bulls in Durban.

Australian and New Zealand teams debut next weekend, with league games continuing until mid-July followed by a three-week knockout phase. – Sapa-AFP

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