The Crusaders, the Chiefs and the Highlanders have each earned spots in this year's Super Rugby playoffs.
New Zealand conference winners the Crusaders finished in second place on the overall table behind the Waratahs, who claimed the minor premiership by a wide margin.
Both teams get a week off to regroup and prepare for home semifinals in a fortnight.
The Sharks' win over the Stormers this morning saw them clinch the South African conference and finish third overall, but they couldn't do enough to take the home semi spot off the Crusaders.
The Sharks will be the only South African team involved in this year's playoff mix.
The Chiefs will head to Canberra to take on the Brumbies in the first qualifying final next Saturday, while the Highlanders have the daunting task of travelling to Durban to take on the Sharks the following day.
If both New Zealand teams can win their qualifying finals, the Highlanders would then take on the Waratahs in Sydney, and the Chiefs would face the Crusaders in Christchurch.
Super Rugby Qualifier A
Saturday 19 July 2014
Brumbies v Chiefs
GIO Stadium, Canberra, Australia
Kick-off: 9.40pm
Super Rugby Qualifier B
Saturday 19 July 2014
Sharks v Highlanders
Growthpoint KINGS PARK, Durban, South Africa
Kick-off: 1.05am
Hagley Oval has a new head groundsman ahead of the first test of the summer.