It was the first season since the 1912 Triangular Tournament in which England played Test series against two touring sides.
In the first half of a damp summer, New Zealand were the tourists, and England won all three matches.
The South African side that toured in the second half of the season were much tougher opposition.
Their players included Graeme Pollock and his brother Peter, Colin Bland and Eddie Barlow.
South Africa won the series 1–0, with two matches drawn, thanks to the Pollock brothers, who were mainly responsible for their win by 94 runs in the second Test at Trent Bridge.