Damien Willemse (C-R) from the Stormers is tackled by Billy Proctor (C-L) from the Hurricanes during the Super Rugby match between the Stormers of South Africa and the Hurricanes of New Zealand at Newlands Stadium in Cape Town, South Africa 01 February 2020. EPA/NIC BOTHMA
Super Rugby 2020: Most tries, points and team standings after Round 1
Here’s the lay of the land after Round 1 of the 2020 Super Rugby season.
Damien Willemse (C-R) from the Stormers is tackled by Billy Proctor (C-L) from the Hurricanes during the Super Rugby match between the Stormers of South Africa and the Hurricanes of New Zealand at Newlands Stadium in Cape Town, South Africa 01 February 2020. EPA/NIC BOTHMA
The Crusaders launched their Super Rugby title defence with a 43-25 victory over the Waratahs in an entertaining nine-try festival in Nelson Saturday.
It was the pupil outsmarting the master as the Crusaders scored six tries to three to confirm their status as championship frontrunners again, while in Fukuoka the Sunwolves began their farewell season with 36-27 upset of the Rebels.
Crusaders coach Scott Robertson, bidding to take his side to a fourth consecutive title was mentored early in his coaching career by now Waratahs coach Rob Penney and obviously learned well as the defending champions raced to a 24-6 lead at half-time.
They received a jolt midway through the second half when 19-year-old Waratahs’ flyer Mark Nawaqanitawase scored twice in three minutes to narrow the gap to 24-18 before the Crusaders finished off with three further tries.
Elsewhere, the Sharks snatched a win in the dying minutes of the first South African derby of the season against the Bulls, the Stormers thrashed the Hurricanes and the Lions were outclassed by the Jaguares in Buenos Aires.
Rugby World Cup-winning Springbok Herschel Jantjies scored a try and created two others as the Western Stormers crushed the Wellington Hurricanes 27-0 Saturday in Super Rugby.
The first round match at Newlands in Cape Town produced the rare sight of a South African side outplaying New Zealand opponents, and scrum-half Jantjies starred.
His cross kick enabled winger Sergeal Petersen to score in the corner after eight minutes. Prop Steven Kitshoff barged over 11 minutes later after a pass from Jantjies.
Midway through the first half, Jantjies grasped a loose ball and sprinted away for a try. Damian Willemse converted for a 19-0 half-time advantage.
On 77 minutes Willemse pounced again, intercepting a pass from Hurricanes replacement scrum-half Jamie Booth and racing from his own half and score in the corner on 77 minutes to seal a bonus-point win.
The Stormers fly-half also kicked two conversions and a penalty after missing his first two kicks at goal.
It was the widest winning margin in round one, before the Jaguares smashed the Lions.
You can get all the latest Super Rugby fixtures and results for the 2020 season here.
Super Rugby 2020: Most points after Round 1
| Player | Team | Points |
| Morne Steyn | Bulls | 15 |
| Bryce Hegarty | Reds | 14 |
| Curwin Bosch | Sharks | 13 |
| Aaron Cruden | Chiefs | 12 |
| Reiko Ioane | Blues | 10 |
| Samisoni Taukeiaho | Chiefs | 10 |
Super Rugby 2020: Leading try scorer after Round 1
| Player | Team | Tries |
| Reiko Ioane | Blues | 2 |
| Samisoni Taukeiaho | Chiefs | 2 |
Super Rugby 2020: Conference standings after Round 1
South Africa
| Team | Played | W | L | D | Points |
| Jaguares | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 5 |
| Stormers | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 5 |
| Sharks | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 4 |
| Bulls | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Lions | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
Australia
| Team | Played | W | L | D | Points |
| Sunwolves | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 4 |
| Brumbies | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 4 |
| Reds | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 |
| Rebels | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Waratahs | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
New Zealand
| Team | Played | W | L | D | Points |
| Crusaders | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 5 |
| Chiefs | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 4 |
| Highlanders | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Blues | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Hurricanes | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
Additional reporting by AFP.
