France toured New Zealand, playing a three-test series and a mid-week match against the Blues.
Like in 2012, the new global calendar provided expanded Test opportunities for Tier 2 nations.
Japan hosted a two-test tour by Wales, their first home matches against a Tier 1 side since their defeat against Italy in 2006.
Ireland visited North America, playing one test each against United States and Canada.
Note: Man of the Match: Joe Launchbury (England) Touch judges: Nigel Owens (Wales) Paul Dix (England) Television match official: David Grashoff (England) Man of the Match: Mike Phillips (British & Irish Lions) Touch judges: Lourens van der Merwe (South Africa) Angus Gardner (Australia) Television match official: Matt Goddard (Australia) Touch judges: Federico Anselmi (Argentina) Carlos Poggi (Argentina) Touch judges: Greg Garner (England) Taizo Hirabayashi (Japan) Notes: Man of the Match: Ben Smith (New Zealand) Touch judges: Alain Rolland (Ireland) James Leckie (Australia) Television match official: Matt Goddard (Australia) Man of the Match: Ben Morgan (England) Touch judges: Nigel Owens (Wales) Christie du Preez (South Africa) Television match official: Shaun Veldsman (South Africa) Man of the Match: Ian Madigan (Ireland) Touch judges: Bryan Arciero (Canada) Chris Assmus (Canada) Notes: Touch judges: Richard Kelly (New Zealand) Sheldon Eden-Whaitiri (New Zealand) Television match official: Glenn Newman (New Zealand) Notes: Touch judges: Lourens van der Merwe (South Africa) Taizo Hirabayashi (Japan) Notes: Touch judges: Wayne Barnes (England) James Leckie (Australia) Television match official: George Ayoub (Australia) Notes: Man of the Match: Marland Yarde (England) Touch judges: Marius Jonker (South Africa) Christie du Preez (South Africa) Television match official: Shaun Veldsman (South Africa) Notes: Man of the Match: Fergus McFadden (Ireland) Touch judges: Nick Ricono (United States) Ed Gardner (United States) Notes: Touch judges: Alain Rolland (Ireland) Wayne Barnes (England) Television match official: George Ayoub (Australia) Man of the Match George North (British & Irish Lions) Touch judges: Craig Joubert (South Africa) Romain Poite (France) Television match official: Vinny Munro (New Zealand) Touch judges: Marius Jonker (South Africa) Christie du Preez (South Africa) Television match official: Shaun Veldsman (South Africa) Man of the Match Christian Lealiifano (Australia) Touch judges: Chris Pollock (New Zealand) Romain Poite (France) Television match official: Ben Skeen (New Zealand) Man of the Match Leigh Halfpenny (British & Irish Lions) Touch judges: Chris Pollock (New Zealand) Craig Joubert (South Africa) Television match official: Vinny Munro (New Zealand) On 6 December 2012, the SARU announced that South Africa would host Samoa, Italy and Scotland in a four-team tournament.