DHL Stormers fixtures for the 2012 Super 15 rugby season

The 2012 Super 15 rugby season kicks off soon. Pre-season training is well under way and the teams will be facing each other for some warm-up games towards the end of January. The DHL Stormers were superb in the Super 15 pool stages last year, where they eventually finished top of the South African conference. Unfortunately, they went down to a traditionally strong Crusaders side in the semi-finals but this year, we’ll be hoping that the team can go one better and bring that elusive Super Rugby title to the Cape.

The Stormers will miss the likes of star centre Jaque Fourie and the promising Johan Sadie but they welcome back fullback Joe Pietersen from France, flyhalf Peter Grant from Japan and loose forward Duane Vermeulen from long-term injury. Gerhard van den Heever is a new addition on the wing, having moved from the Bulls. The team will no doubt look to Springboks Schalk Burger, Jean De Villiers, Andries Bekker, Gio Aplon and Juan De Jongh for experience and inspiration, while the new up and coming talents find their way in Super Rugby.

The season kicks off on 21 January 2012 with a selection of warm-up games which includes the Neo Africa Tri-Series (update: this is now called the DHL Pre-Season Series). You can then look forward to the 2012 Super 15 tournament which starts on 24 February 2012. Here are the fixtures for the DHL Stormers for the 2012 season.

DHL Stormers Warm-Up Fixtures:

21 January 2012: Boland vs DHL Stormers
Boland Rugby Stadium
27 January 2012: DHL Stormers vs Lions (Neo Africa Tri-Series / DHL Pre-Season Series)
DHL Newlands Rugby Stadium, Cape Town
4 February 2012: DHL Stormers vs Cheetahs (Neo Africa Tri-Series / DHL Pre-Season Series)
DHL Newlands Rugby Stadium, Cape Town
11 February 2012: EP Kings vs DHL Stormers
Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium, Port Elizabeth
19 February 2012: Nashua Mobile Cape Cobras vs DHL Stormers (Pick n Pay Newlands Cricket Challenge)
Sahara Park Newlands, Cape Town

DHL Stormers 2012 Super 15 Rugby Fixtures:

25 February 2012: DHL Stormers vs Hurricanes
DHL Newlands Rugby Stadium, Cape Town – 17h05
3 March 2012: DHL Stormers vs Sharks
DHL Newlands Rugby Stadium, Cape Town – 19h10
9/10 March 2012: Stormers bye
16 March 2012: DHL Stormers vs Blues
DHL Newlands Rugby Stadium, Cape Town – 19h10
24 March 2012: Lions vs DHL Stormers
Johannesburg – 19h10
31 March 2012: DHL Stormers vs Bulls
DHL Newlands Rugby Stadium, Cape Town – 19h10
7 April 2012: Highlanders vs DHL Stormers
Dunedin – 09h35
14 April 2012: Crusaders vs DHL Stormers
Venue TBC – 09h35
20 April 2012: Reds vs DHL Stormers
Brisbane – 11h40
28 April 2012: Force vs DHL Stormers
Perth – 11h40
4/5 May 2012: Stormers bye
12 May 2012: DHL Stormers vs Cheetahs
DHL Newlands Rugby Stadium, Cape Town – 19h10
19 May 2012: DHL Stormers vs Waratahs
DHL Newlands Rugby Stadium, Cape Town – 19h10
26 May 2012: Sharks vs DHL Stormers
Durban – 19h10
2 June 2012: Bulls vs DHL Stormers
Pretoria – 19h10
30 June 2012: DHL Stormers vs Lions
DHL Newlands Rugby Stadium, Cape Town – 17h05
7 July 2012: Cheetahs vs DHL Stormers
Bloemfontein – 15h00
13 July 2012: DHL Stormers vs Rebels
DHL Newlands Rugby Stadium, Cape Town – 15h00

The qualifiers, play-offs and final take place from 20 July 2012 to 4 August 2012. Dates, times and venues listed above are subject to change. Times are in SA local time.

It’s certainly a long season and the depths of each squad will be tested. The DHL Stormers are listed as favourites from the South African teams, with the Sharks also in with a good shout. The Lions will be interesting to watch after their brilliant showing in last year’s Currie Cup. The Bulls will be rebuilding and the Cheetahs will cause some upsets along the way. I’m sure defending champions the Reds and runners-up the Crusaders will once again be tough to beat. By the way, here’s the full list of 2012 Super 15 rugby fixtures, if you’re keen to check it out.

How do you think the teams will do this year? Feel free to post a comment and share your views. Go Stormers!

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