During what will be England's first-ever three-Test series in South Africa, the trip will see a return to "traditional-style" touring, which includes a midweek team playing matches in Kimberley and Potchefstroom.

England will meet a SA Barbarians South team in an afternoon match in Kimberley on Wednesday June 13 and six days later play a SA Barbarians North XV in an evening kick-off in Potchefstroom.

"I think all rugby fans will be excited by the idea of having England on tour in South Africa for five matches over three weeks," said SARU chief executive Jurie Roux.

Ability

"South Africa has not hosted a three-Test tour against a single nation since the visit of New Zealand in 1996, so this will be a special occasion for all of us.

"The Rugby Football Union has also agreed to two midweek matches, which gives us the opportunity to take international rugby away from the major metropolitan centres.

"It also presents a chance for players outside of the Springbok and Vodacom Super Rugby camps to demonstrate their ability against top-flight international opposition."

Roux said that the teams would be selected from the players of the eight Absa Currie Cup First Division teams while the coaches will be appointed in due course.

England, Ireland and Wales will all be competing in the Southern Hemisphere simultaneously with New Zealand hosting Ireland in three Tests and Wales visiting Australia.

England head coach Stuart Lancaster said: "This will be a massive and exciting challenge for us. England have never had a three-Test series in South Africa and, with two midweek games against opponents who will be desperate to impress, these five games gives us a great opportunity for a wider group of players to put their hat in the ring and gain international experience.

"We were pleased with the progress we made in the RBS Six Nations and this tour is another important step on the journey towards 2015."

Tour itinerary

Saturday, 9 June: South Africa v England (1st Test), Mr Price King's Park, Durban (kick-off 4pm BST)

Wednesday, 13 June: SA Barbarians South v England, GWK Park, Kimberley (kick-off 1:30pm BST)

Saturday, 16 June: South Africa v England (2nd Test), Coca-Cola Park, Johannesburg (kick-off 4pm BST)

Tuesday, 19 June: SA Barbarians North v England, Profert Olen Park, Potchefstroom (kick-off 6:10pm BST)

Saturday, 23 June: South Africa v England (3rd Test), Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium, Port Elizabeth (kick-off 4pm BST)

(All matches shown live on Sky Sports HD)