The Springboks also faced their June test series opposition, France, whom they had beaten 3–0, before ending their tour in Wales, after the international window.
For Japan this was the third time in five years that they had played two Tier 1 opponents during the November tests, having already hosted Australia prior to their away match against France.
After defeating Canada and the United States away earlier in the year, Georgia played host to the same opposition at home.
[citation needed] As in previous November internationals, travelling Tier 2 nations faced each other at neutral venues in Europe.
With Uruguay's 2019 Rugby World Cup qualifier play-offs taking place in February 2018, they embarked on a two-test series against Namibia as preparation.