Super Rugby's quarter-final line-up is confirmed

After 18 rounds and 120 matches of the regular season, the quarter-finalists for the 2019 Super Rugby tournament have been confirmed by SANZAAR.

After a very competitive season, the configuration of the quarter-finals was only determined after the very last match of the season when the Bulls beat the Lions to earn a bonus point win in Pretoria.

The Crusaders finished the regular season as New Zealand Conference winners for the third year in a row – and the highest ranked team in the tournament – finishing on 58 points after 11 wins.

The Jaguares won the South African Conference for the first time finishing with 11 wins and 51 points. In the Australian Conference, the Brumbies finished top with 10 wins and 48 points.

The last quarter-final host spot is taken by the Hurricanes who finished second in New Zealand Conference with 53 points.

Bulls v Lions | Super Rugby 2019 Rd 18 Highlights@LionsRugbyCo set the tone by scoring within 16 seconds, but @BlueBullsRugby hit back harder to run out emphatic 48-27 winners in Pretoria.#SuperRugby #BULvLIO pic.twitter.com/wvQXWMwqNV

— Super Rugby Pacific (@SuperRugby) June 15, 2019

The four next best wildcard teams – based on total tournament points and regardless of conference – have been ranked five to eight: Bulls 41 points (South African Conference), Sharks 37 points (South African Conference), Chiefs 36 points (New Zealand Conference) and Highlanders 36 points (New Zealand Conference).

The quarter-finalists and their rankings are:

1. Crusaders – New Zealand Conference Winners
2. Jaguares – South African Conference Winners
3. Brumbies – Australian Conference Winners
4. Hurricanes
5. Bulls
6. Sharks
7. Chiefs
8. Highlanders

Stormers v Sharks | Super Rugby 2019 Rd 18 Highlights
It was a nervy affair in Cape Town, but with Lukhanyo Am’s last ditch try @TheSharksZA kept their season alive, beating the @THESTORMERS 12-9.#SuperRugby #STOvSHA pic.twitter.com/QhXLGgqqbu

— Super Rugby Pacific (@SuperRugby) June 15, 2019

2019 Super Rugby Quarter-final Draw

QF1: Crusaders [1] versus Highlanders [8]
QF2: Hurricanes [4] versus Bulls [5]
QF3: Jaguares [2] versus Chiefs [7]
QF4: Brumbies [3] versus Sharks [6]

Quarter-final Match Schedule (all times local)

Fri, June 21: Crusaders v Highlanders, Christchurch Stadium Christchurch @ 19:35
Sat, June 22: Hurricanes v Bulls, Westpac Stadium, Wellington @ 19:35
Fri, June 21: Jaguares v Chiefs, Jose Amalfitani Stadium, Buenos Aires @ 19:05
Sat, June 22: Brumbies v Sharks, GIO Stadium, Canberra @ 20:05

Brumbies v Reds | Super Rugby 2019 Rd 18 Highlights
The @BrumbiesRugby score their sixth consecutive win for the first time since 2007, outclassing the @Reds_Rugby 40-27 in Canberra.#SuperRugby #BRUvRED pic.twitter.com/4MwPsSdpYQ

— Super Rugby Pacific (@SuperRugby) June 15, 2019

Semi-final Draw:
Pre-determined draw as follows (highest ranked team to host):

SF1: Winner QF1 v Winner QF2
SF2: Winner QF3 v Winner QF4

WATCH: Episode three of Rugby Explorer, the RugbyPass series hosted by Jim Hamilton, takes a trek through South Africa