England (4 July), Scotland (11 July) and Wales (18 July) will head to South Africa for the midyear Tests, while it was also confirmed that the Boks will face Italy (weekend of 6-8 November), France (weekend of 13-15 November) and Ireland (21 November) in Europe next year to complete fixtures against all Six Nations teams.
The Springboks also have the inaugural ‘Rugby Greatest Rivalry’ incoming tour of New Zealand in August and September in what will be a bumper year for coach Rassie Erasmus and his players.
The SANZAAR nations, South Africa, 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.
Teams will earn points for wins and following the six rounds, the Nations Championship will culminate in a first-of-its-kind Finals Weekend, which will be hosted at Twickenham in London next November.
The top-ranked teams in the Southern and Northern Hemisphere will battle it out in the decider.
The Nations Championship will not take place in 2027 as it's a Rugby World Cup year, with a full Rugby Championship also on the schedule.
In 2028, the Nations Championship schedule will be reversed, with France, Ireland and Italy coming to South Africa, while the Boks will face England, Scotland and Wales in the UK.
"The Nations Championship will transform the existing international windows in July and November, which means every Test will now count for more than just bragging rights and world ranking points,” Rian Oberholzer, CEO of SA Rugby, said.
"This new competition changes the global game as we know it, and from SA Rugby and the Springboks' side, we are very excited about what the future holds.
"Kicking off with Tests against England, Scotland and Wales will provide the Boks with three tough Tests and just the right preparation for Rugby's Greatest Rivalry against the All Blacks, which follows in August.
"Scotland's last visit to South Africa was in 2014, England haven't been here since 2018, and Wales last came to us in 2022, so we can't wait to welcome them back."
Venues and kick-off times for the Boks' three home Tests next July will be confirmed by SA Rugby in due course.
All 12 nations will compete for points - four 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.
These points earned during the July and November rounds will ultimately decide the schedule of fixtures for the Finals Weekend.