Boks vs All Blacks in USA: Why Baltimore will host historic test

South Africa’s rugby calendar this year is shaping up to be one of the biggest in recent memory, with blockbuster Tests against England and a full series against New Zealand.

But it’s the unexpected fourth test between the Springboks and the All Blacks, scheduled for the United States that has sparked the most intrigue.

Instead of a traditional venue like Twickenham or Cardiff’s Millennium Stadium, the two world giants will meet in Baltimore, Maryland.

A rare Springboks vs All Blacks Test on US soil

The Springboks have played in the US before, most notably in 2018 when a second-string side lost 22–20 to Wales in what was one of Rassie Erasmus’s first matches in charge. This time, however, the stakes and scale are far bigger.

The match will be staged at M&T Bank Stadium, home of the Baltimore Ravens, which can seat more than 71,000 spectators.

That raises an obvious question: Is there really an audience for elite international rugby in the US?

‘America has big ambitions for rugby’

According to Michael Goldman, Professor of Sport Management at the University of San Francisco, the answer is increasingly ‘yes’.

“America has big ambitions for rugby,” Goldman said.

“We’ve seen growth at college level, in sevens, and now with Major League Rugby. There’s certainly a lot of interest.”

He expects the crowd in Baltimore to be a mix of local rugby fans and expatriates, particularly from traditional rugby nations.

“There’ll be a good mixture of the expat community and the local rugby community that is growing constantly within the US,” he added.

Why Baltimore makes sense

While South African Test venues are often decided through competitive bidding, Goldman said US organisers take a different approach.

“This is about finding the best venue for the event,” he explained.

“On the East Coast, you have many more states close together, many more people close together, and a really strong rugby community.”

Alongside California and Texas, the US East Coast is seen as one of the country’s rugby hotbeds, making Baltimore a logical choice for a high-profile international.

Youth rugby and shifting sports culture in the US

Goldman also pointed to bigger structural changes in American sport that are benefiting rugby.

He added that strong youth and school development programmes particularly in sevens rugby for boys and girls helped build a clear pathway from grassroots to college, professional leagues and Team USA.

More than just a Test match

While global stars like Siya Kolisi and Cheslin Kolbe may not yet command the same recognition as NBA icons abroad, Goldman believes matches like this still matter.

“I hope that both teams take the opportunity to get into schools and communities and show kids what great rugby looks like,” he said.

He stressed that growth in US rugby has largely been driven by homegrown players rather than international superstars but events like Springboks vs All Blacks can still accelerate interest.

As the US eyes future Rugby World Cups beyond 2031, September’s clash in Baltimore may prove to be more than a novelty. It could be a key building block in rugby’s expansion into one of the world’s biggest sports markets.

For more information, listen to Goldman using the audio player below: