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No-shows from England and France in our Six Nations team of the week
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Baltimore confirmed for Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry tour finale
By Ned Lester
The eighth and final stop of the Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry 2026 tour has been confirmed: The All Blacks and Springboks are headed stateside to Baltimore, Maryland.
The match will be played at M&T Bank Stadium, the home of NFL franchise the Baltimore Ravens, on Saturday, September 12.
The full tour schedule sees South Africa host matchups between the All Blacks and its four URC club teams, followed by the first three Tests of the tour, before the two national outfits cross the Atlantic. The Black Ferns and Springbok Women will also join the tour for a double-header in Johannesburg.
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Baltimore is in the running to be a Rugby World Cup 2031 host city, with the 71,000-capacity M&T Bank Stadium a potential venue for the tournament.
The tour making its way to the USA is another collaborative effort from World Rugby and its member unions to further rugby’s profile in the country ahead of Rugby World Cup 2031 (men’s) and 2033 (women’s). It will be the third straight year the All Blacks have played a Test match in the States, following 2025’s Ireland Test in Chicago and 2024’s Fiji showdown in San Diego.
“Partnering with unions to bring world-class content to key US cities is at the heart of the sport’s strategy to grow the market on the road to hosting men’s and women’s Rugby World Cups in the US in 2031 and 33,” World Rugby CEO Alan Gilpin said.
“There are few bigger rivalries than New Zealand v South Africa, and to be able to showcase the best of our sport in Baltimore, one of 27 super engaged cities and regions in the Rugby World Cup hosting process, is an exciting prospect, inspiring more sports fans in the US to fall in love with rugby.”
Last year’s All Blacks vs Ireland Test brought fans from every US state, every Canadian province, and more than a dozen countries to Chicago for the occasion.
“Having the opportunity to once again play in the US, less than a year after our last game, is exciting for the All Blacks and for New Zealand Rugby,” Interim CEO of New Zealand Rugby Steve Lancaster said.
“The US is an important market for us and for rugby more broadly, as we look ahead to Rugby World Cup 2031. This will mark the fourth time the team has played in the US in five years, so it’s great to be in another new city to show sports fans the spectacle and excitement of rugby.
“Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry aims to be unlike any other, and playing in a city with the potential to form a part of the 2031 Rugby World Cup just adds another layer to this tour. We look forward to welcoming fans of the All Blacks and the haka in Baltimore in September.”
The Springboks have ventured to the United States twice since 2000, with a 2001 matchup against the USA and a 2018 clash with Wales under their belts.
“Taking the Springboks to new audiences and territories is a key objective for South African rugby and the opportunity to do so in a ground-breaking match against our fiercest rivals was a major determinant in where the fourth Test would be played,” said Rian Oberholzer, CEO of SA Rugby.
“With fans getting the opportunity to see the Boks in action against the All Blacks in three home Tests, the chance to share the excitement in the US is an exciting one, compounded by the fact that both men’s and women’s Rugby World Cup will be heading to the US in a few years’ time. While the All Blacks have played in the USA often in the past, the Boks have only played there twice this millennium, and we’re very excited to take them to Baltimore and engage with a developing rugby ecosystem.”
Ravens president Sashi Brown was thrilled to get the city in on the excitement.
“The All Blacks–Springboks rivalry is one of the most iconic matchups in international rugby, and we’re thrilled to host these legendary teams at M&T Bank Stadium,” she said.
“Our incredible partnership with the State of Maryland, including its support for our ongoing stadium renovations, has helped position M&T Bank Stadium as a world-class venue. As one of a handful of premier global sporting events, this rugby match underscores our shared commitment to bringing world-class experiences to Baltimore.”
