Conference matches took place every weekend from 15 February until 13 July – with a break between rounds 17 and 18 for internationals games – followed by the play-offs series that culminated in the final on 3 August.

The 2013 season saw the Southern Kings of South Africa enter the competition for the first time, having replaced the under-performing Lions.

[3] In addition, a two-legged promotion/relegation play-off took place at the end of the season between the bottom team in the South African Conference and the Lions, with the winner qualifying for Super Rugby in 2014.

Source: sanzarrugby.com Legend: Points breakdown: The overall standings classification system:[4][non-primary source needed] Note: Due to the Lions tour, only Australian teams will play in Rounds 1 and 17 and only New Zealand and South African teams in Rounds 18 and 19.

Instead, it was introduced by SARU to give the sixth South African franchise an opportunity to qualify for Super Rugby.