England (4 July), Scotland (11 July) and Wales (18 July) will head to SA for the mid-year Tests.The groundbreaking Nations Championship, a landmark joint venture between Sanzaar and Six Nations Rugby to create the new biennial tournament , was officially launched on Monday, with the 12 biggest nations in world rugby colliding in a competitive new tournament that will reshape the future of the global game.

The Sanzaar nations SA, New Zealand, Australia and Argentina plus invitational teams Japan and Fiji, will represent the southern hemisphere in the new competition, played in the two existing international windows in July and November, against the Six Nations teams, England, France, Ireland, Italy, Scotland and Wales. All 12 nations will compete for points  for a win, two for a draw, zero for a loss, and bonus points for scoring four or more tries and losing by seven points or fewer to determine the standings in their respective groups.

–Reuters–