USA to host fourth Bok-All Blacks Test

Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry series between the Springboks and All Blacks will conclude with a historic fourth and final Test in Baltimore, Maryland.

The 71,000 capacity M&T Bank Stadium, home of the NFL’s Baltimore Ravens, will host the teams on Saturday, 12 September.

Both the Springboks and 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 the USA, as well as in San Diego (vs Fiji) and Washington DC (vs USA). The Boks faced the USA in Houston in 2001 and visited Washington DC in 2018 to face Wales.

The announcement reflects the collective ambition of SA Rugby, NZ Rugby and World Rugby to grow the game in the United States. As the region builds toward hosting 2031 men’s and 2033 women’s World Cups, World Rugby and member unions are partnering to strategically position premium international rugby in key US markets.

Bringing two of the sport’s most storied teams to Baltimore, a 2031 World Cup 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 SA Rugby CEO Rian Oberholzer.

“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 the 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.”

Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry is reignited. 🇿🇦🇳🇿🔥 pic.twitter.com/J1WCrV2Bh9

— SA Rugby magazine (@SARugbymag) October 16, 2025

Interim CEO of NZ 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 NZ 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 added: “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 vs 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.”

Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry tour fixtures:
Friday, 7 August: vs Stormers, Cape Town Stadium, Cape Town
Tuesday, 11 August: vs Sharks, Kings Park, Durban
Saturday, 15 August: vs Vodacom Bulls, Loftus Versfeld, Pretoria
Saturday, 22 August: vs Springboks, Ellis Park, Johannesburg
Tuesday, 25 August: vs Lions, Ellis Park, Johannesburg
Saturday, 29 August: vs Springboks, Cape Town Stadium, Cape Town
Saturday, 5 September: vs Springboks, FNB Stadium, Johannesburg
Saturday 12 September: vs Springboks, M&T Bank Stadium, Baltimore

Springboks 2026 schedule