They kicked off at the weekend with opening wins for the Lions and Stormers in what was a South African conference-only start to the 2018 Super Rugby season. But with two sides – the Cheetahs and Southern Kings – cut from the equation and now plying their trade in Europe, what have the four remaining Republic franchises and the Argentina-based Jaguares

Who topped the points and try-scoring charts in this year’s NRC?

He can still remember the day. Heading to Coffs Harbour Stadium with his Dad because the touring British & Irish Lions, a side containing most of the Northern Hemisphere’s finest talent at that time – think Jason Leonard, Ronan O’Gara, Neil Jenkins, Ben Cohen and more – had come to town. But for a 10-year-old Sam Needs, it was the guys in the other jerseys that captured his imagination.