Super Rugby 2018 to kick-off on 17th February

The fixtures for the 2018 season of the Super Rugby tournament was released with the South African conference kick-starting the proceedings in the opening week.

The tournament which was reduced to 15 teams will see Stormers hosting Jaguares and Lions locking horns with Sharks on 17th February while the other team in the Conference Bulls have a bye.

The Australian and New Zealand Conference will begin the following week with Highlanders and Rebels hosting Blues and Reds respectively on 23rd February Friday. Defending champions Crusaders will host Chiefs on Saturday in what is expected to be an exciting contest.

"Our vision is to run and manage the strongest, most competitive and engaging international and club competitions in the world," said SANZAAR CEO Andy Marinos.

"With the hard decisions to re-structure Super Rugby behind us we can now look forward to a stronger tournament that promises to deliver the best versus the best and one that continues to provide a high quality player pathway into the international arena."

"Historically the success of SANZAAR teams in the international arena can largely be attributed to the quality, strength and intensity of Super Rugby.

"We believe 2018 will deliver a more competitive and compelling tournament with more unpredictable outcomes, and with an expansive and entertaining brand of rugby that tests players and re-engages our many fans across the globe. SANZAAR wishes all the 15 teams every success in 2018."

Following the end of the 120-match regular season eight teams will qualify for the play-offs and will be given a seeding of 1 to 8 for the quarter-finals.

The three conference winners will be seeded 1 to 3 based on final tournament points and will host quarter-finals.

Seeds 4 to 8 will be the five non-Conference winning teams with the next best number of Super Rugby competition points regardless of Conference. Seed 4 will host the remaining quarter-final.