Springboks v All Blacks clash heads to USA

NEWS: North America will provide a stage for a Springboks v All Blacks clash this year.

On Thursday, Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry, the touring series between the Springboks and the All Blacks held every four years, has announced Baltimore, Maryland, USA as the host city for the 2026 series’ historic fourth Test on Saturday, September 12.

The venue, M&T Bank Stadium, is the home of the NFL’s Baltimore Ravens.

The match will conclude the Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry tour, which includes games between the All Blacks and South Africa’s four franchise teams, and three Tests between the Springboks and the All Blacks on South African soil.

Fans will also get to witness a double header in Johannesburg between the Black Ferns and Springbok Women before the tour comes to the US.

Both the Springboks and the All Blacks have a history of playing matches on US soil. New Zealand have played numerous games in Chicago in recent years, taking on Ireland and USA, as well as in San Diego (v Fiji) and Washington DC (v USA).

South Africa faced the USA in Houston in 2001 and visited Washington DC in 2018 to face Wales.

The announcement also reflects the collective ambition of New Zealand Rugby, SA Rugby, and World Rugby to grow the game in the United States. As the region builds toward hosting Rugby World Cup 2031 (men’s) and 2033 (women’s), World Rugby and member unions are partnering to strategically position premium international rugby in key U.S. markets.

Bringing two of the sport’s most storied teams to Baltimore, a Rugby World Cup 2031 applicant city, highlights this collaborative approach to developing new audiences, accelerating fan engagement and inspiring the next generation of rugby supporters.

“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.”

Interim CEO of New Zealand Rugby Steve Lancaster said: “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. 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.”

World Rugby CEO Alan Gilpin also weighed in on the announcement.

“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.

“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.”

The 71,000-capacity M&T Bank Stadium, home of the Baltimore Ravens, has established itself as one of the premier sporting venues in North America.

“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,” said Ravens President Sashi Brown.

“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.”

Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry fixtures 2026:

Friday, August 7: Stormers v All Blacks, DHL Stadium, Cape Town
Tuesday, August 11: Sharks v All Blacks, Hollywoodbets Kings Park, Durban
Saturday, August 15: Bulls v All Blacks, Loftus Versfeld, Pretoria
Saturday, August 22: Springboks v All Blacks, Ellis Park, Johannesburg (first Test)
Tuesday, August 25: Lions v All Blacks, Ellis Park, Johannesburg
Saturday, August 29: Springboks v All Blacks, DHL Stadium, Cape Town (second Test)
Saturday, September 5: Springbok Women v Black Ferns, FNB Stadium, Johannesburg
Saturday, September 5: Springboks v All Blacks, FNB Stadium, Johannesburg (third Test)
Saturday, September 12: Springboks v All Blacks, M&T Bank Stadium, Baltimore, USA (fourth Test)