Stormers captain Schalk Burger poses with the South African conference trophy © Getty Images

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SANZAR have confirmed the fixture details for the new-look Super Rugby play-offs that kick off next weekend.

The Waratahs will kick things off against the Blues at Eden Park on Friday night with the Crusaders hosting the Sharks at Nelson's Trafalgar Park on Saturday due to their opponents having to travel from South Africa.

The regular season drew to a dramatic close on Saturday with the Stormers joining the previously qualified Reds in securing a home semi-final and a priceless week off as the Super Rugby Finals Series gets underway.

The Waratahs and Sharks finished the regular season tied on 57 points and equal with 10 victories. However, the Waratahs qualified in fifth position due to their superior points differential. Rounding out the cast are the seven-time champions the Crusaders, who claimed the New Zealand Conference title with victory over the Hurricanes, and the Blues who cemented their play-off spot with a win against the Highlanders.

The winners of the Super Rugby Qualifiers will advance to the semi-finals, where they will face the Reds or Stormers who will host the games on Saturday, July 2, with the Final taking place the following week. The season finale will be hosted by the qualifier that finished highest in the overall Super Rugby table.

Super Rugby Finals Series

Super Rugby Qualifiers:
Blues (4th) v Waratahs (5th) Friday, June 24, 2011
Eden Park, Auckland New Zealand
Kick-off: 7:35pm NZT / 5:35pm AEST
Referee: Chris Pollock
AR 1: Stuart Dickinson
AR 2: Glen Jackson
TMO: Vinny Munro

Crusaders (3rd) v Sharks (6th)
Saturday, June 25, 2011
Trafalgar Park, Nelson NZL
Kick-off: 7:35pm NZT / AEST
Referee: Bryce Lawrence
AR 1: Keith Brown
AR 2: Vinny Munro
TMO: Garratt Williamson

Super Rugby Semi-Finals:
Queensland Reds (1st) v Lowest ranked qualifier
Saturday, July 2, 2011
Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane, Australia
Kick-off: 7:40pm AEST

Stormers (2nd) v Highest ranked qualifier
Saturday, July 2, 2011
Newlands, Cape Town, South Africa
Kick-off: 5:05pm SAST / 1:05am (Sunday) AEST

Super Rugby Final (Saturday, July 9, 2011)