Melbourne Rebels will face the South African-based Sharks in a full-scale Super Rugby encounter in Ballarat next year.
This will be the first Super Rugby match played for premiership points in the city.
The round four fixture at Mars Stadium on Saturday, February 22, is also the first home game the Rebels have played away from AAMI Park.
Rebels rugby general manager Nick Ryan said it was a significant step to shift a home match and “really exciting” for the club.
He said despite the magnitude of the call, it had been an easy decision to take a game to Ballarat based on the way the city had opened its arms to the Rebels.
Melbourne has had two pre-season camps in Ballarat and played a warm-up game against Queensland Reds at Mars Stadium early this year in the lead up to the Super Rugby season.
Super Rugby Warm-up game :
- Sharks vs Stormers | January 19 at FNB Stadium
- Rebels vs Reds | January 19 at Mars Stadium
Super Rugby Season Game :
- Rebels vs Sharks | Super Rugby 2020 February 22 , Match 23 Local time kick off 14:45 Auckland