Monday 28 September 2015 12:52, UK
Japan's new team will debut in Super Rugby with a home clash against South Africa's Lions on February 27.
Teams from Japan and Argentina join the competition for the first time next season, taking the total to 18 teams, and they have been placed in separate groups each involving three teams from South Africa - neither of the new teams has yet been named.
The Argentina team start their Super Rugby campaign in Bloemfontein against the Cheetahs, while the Port Elizabeth-based Kings return to the competition and kick-off against the Sharks at Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium.
There are no changes to the Australian and New Zealand conferences, which feature their existing five teams.
The South African Group contains two Conferences with the Bulls, Cheetahs, Stormers and the Japanese team on one side and the Kings, Lions, Sharks and the Argentinian team on the other.
Teams will play six matches within their own Conference, five against an Australasian Conference, four against a South African Conference and will have two byes across the 17-week regular season.
Governing body SANZAR's interim chief executive Brendan Morris said, "As we stand eagerly on the cusp of a new era of Super Rugby, fans can look forward to the upcoming season with a great deal of optimism and enthusiasm.
"We are in the envious position to be delivering our great brand of rugby to new cities and international markets, unlocking a host of commercial opportunities and delivering the unbridled excitement of Super Rugby to a legion of new and existing fans.
"As successful as our competition has been in the past, we cannot rest on our laurels. We want to grow our fan base and ensure existing fans stay loving our game.
"We will be working hard alongside our national unions, teams, broadcasters and venues to keep finding new and innovative ways to ensure Super Rugby continues to be the best provincial rugby competition in the world both on and off the field."
Friday February 26
Blues v Highlanders
Brumbies v Hurricanes
Cheetahs v Argentina
Saturday February 27
Japan v Lions
Crusaders v Chiefs
Waratahs v Reds
Force v Rebels
Kings v Sharks
Stormers v Bulls
