South Africa’s biggest and most emotional rugby rivalry is heading across the Atlantic. This September, the Springboks and the All Blacks will meet in Baltimore for the first time, adding a bold American chapter to a rivalry that has defined international rugby for more than a century.
For a sport still trying to break into the US mainstream, the announcement carries far more weight than a single Test. It signals rugby’s commitment to growing new audiences ahead of the Rugby World Cups the United States will host in 2031 and 2033. And for South Africans, it is a rare chance to see their world champions showcased on one of the biggest sporting stages in North America.
A rivalry powerful enough to fill an NFL stadium
The fourth and final Test of the 2026 Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry tour will take place at the 71 000-seat M&T Bank Stadium, home of the Baltimore Ravens, on Saturday 12 September.
This will be only the Boks’ third trip to the United States this century, following matches in Houston in 2001 and Washington DC in 2018. The All Blacks are more familiar with American crowds, having played in Chicago, San Diego and the capital over the past decade.
Now, for the first time, the two giants will meet in the US in a match expected to attract fans from across the country and abroad. Baltimore is one of the candidate cities hoping to host Rugby World Cup fixtures in 2031, making this Test a significant trial run.
Why Baltimore matters for rugby’s future
SA Rugby CEO Rian Oberholzer says the decision forms part of a deliberate global strategy. Reaching new fans remains a priority, and showcasing the Springboks against their fiercest rivals in a major US city aligns perfectly with rugby’s long-term growth plan.
New Zealand Rugby echoed that message, saying the US is becoming increasingly important as the sport’s global calendar evolves. For the All Blacks, this will be their fourth American appearance in five years, a sign of how seriously they view the opportunity.
World Rugby, meanwhile, is openly using these fixtures to build momentum before the next World Cup cycle. With both men’s and women’s tournaments heading to the US, giving American fans access to top-tier rugby now is essential.
A busy build-up before Baltimore takes the spotlight
Before the teams head to the US, South African fans will enjoy a stacked August and early-September schedule featuring all four local franchises and three Springbok home Tests.
2026 fixtures
7 August: Stormers vs All Blacks, Cape Town
11 August: Sharks vs All Blacks, Durban
15 August: Bulls vs All Blacks, Pretoria
22 August: Springboks vs All Blacks, Ellis Park (first test)
25 August: Lions vs All Blacks, Johannesburg
29 August: Springboks vs All Blacks, Cape Town (second test)
5 September: Springbok Women vs Black Ferns, FNB Stadium
5 September: Springboks vs All Blacks, FNB Stadium (third test)
12 September: Springboks vs All Blacks, Baltimore (fourth test)
The double header at FNB Stadium, featuring the Springbok Women against the Black Ferns, is expected to be one of the highlights of the entire tour.
A stage set for rugby’s next generation of fans
World Rugby CEO Alan Gilpin says bringing elite fixtures to American cities is central to building long-term support. If rugby wants to break into a crowded sports market, there is no better advert than the Boks and All Blacks battling under NFL lights.
Conclusion: A new chapter in a legendary rivalry
The 2026 tour feels like more than a global showcase. It is a forward-thinking push into new territory, designed to ignite fresh interest in the sport’s next frontier.
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For the Springboks and the All Blacks, Baltimore is not just a venue. It is an opportunity to shape rugby’s future. And for fans around the world, it is proof that even the most storied rivalry can still find new places to write itself.
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Source: SuperSport
Featured Image Source: Springboks on X
