Three countries, 25,000 miles - England's daunting summer itinerary

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That Ellis Park sign is a reminder to travelling teams of the weak oxygen mix swirling around them.

At altitude the air is 'thinner' as it is under less pressure, meaning that each inflation of the lungs draws about a fifth less oxygen into the body.

As if the challenge of facing the reigning world champions is not enough, the Springboks have regularly added opponents' acclimatisation to their home advantage.

The last time England toured South Africa in 2018, Ellis Park was the venue for the first Test. England raced out into a 21-point lead, but were reeled in and beaten 42-39.

Given the relatively sparse facilities in their home country, and the possibility of generating greater income elsewhere, Fiji have been given dispensation to play their home matches on neutral territory.

Port Elizabeth - a 90-minute flight from Johannesburg - was floated as a possible venue, but opportunity won out over convenience.

A match at Hill Dickinson Stadium will also give England - for whom staging home games anywhere other than their own 82,000-capacity Allianz Stadium in Twickenham means missing out on substantial revenue - a chance to shine outside of their traditional heartland.

England thrashed Uruguay in a World Cup dead rubber in 2015 at Manchester City's Etihad Stadium in front of more than 50,000.

Taking on a Fiji side that were within three points of England with a little more than 20 minutes to go in November's meeting should provide more of a spectacle on their first visit to the north-west since.

With many of Fiji's stars, such as Bristol pair Viliame Mata and Kalaveti Ravouvou, Provence's Caleb Muntz and Lyon's Jiuta Wainiqolo, playing their club rugby in Europe, the venue may make life easier for some of the islanders.

Argentina's stadium selection for the following week is interesting.

They have a perfect record at the new 42,000-capacity Estadio Unico Madre de Ciudades.

The Pumas have beaten Scotland and South Africa in their two appearances there.

However, getting to Santiago del Estero from the capital Buenos Aires - 650 miles to the south-west - involves a two-hour flight or 12-hour drive.

It is a choice of venue that exacerbates a testing itinerary.

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