South Africa will play a test match against New Zealand in Baltimore, Maryland, in September as the battle between the two highest-ranked rugby union nations arrives in the United States for the first time.
The Springboks and the All Blacks will play at the M&T Bank Stadium – the home of the NFL’s Baltimore Ravens – on September 12, 2026. Baltimore is one of 27 potential host cities vying to be part of the men’s Rugby World Cup, which will take place in the U.S. in 2031.
It will be the fourth and final test match of this year’s edition of a series promoted as Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry, which takes place every four years. The three prior tests will be played in South Africa, before a finale at the 71,000-seater venue in Baltimore. The match will be promoted by TEG Rugby Live.
New Zealand have made several trips to the United States in recent years, including two games against Ireland in Chicago, as well as a match against Fiji in San Diego and a game against the U.S. in Washington, D.C. It all forms part of the All Blacks’ strategy to grow its brand stateside ahead of the Rugby World Cup in the U.S. in 2031, ahead of the women’s edition taking place in the United States in 2033.
South Africa previously played against the U.S. in Houston in 2001 and faced Wales in D.C. in 2018.
“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, in a news release issued on Thursday.
“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 added: “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 the 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.”