Baltimore hosts Springboks and All Blacks in series decider

By Evelyn Mensah — 11 September 2026 — 6 min read

Springboks aim to capitalise on continuity against All Blacks

The Springboks are set to face the All Blacks in Baltimore, with the South African side looking to leverage their continuity and player freshness. This fixture is expected to be a significant event, as the All Blacks conclude an eight-match tour that has reportedly taken a physical toll on the team.

According to Mark Keohane, writing for TimesLIVE, the physical demands of New Zealand‘s extensive tour are becoming increasingly evident. In contrast, the Springboks enter this final Test with established team combinations and momentum, following victories at Cape Town Stadium and FNB Stadium.

The All Blacks will be without three players who started the third Test at FNB Stadium. Among them, Ardie Savea has a dislocated shoulder, Luke Jacobson is dealing with an elbow injury, and Quinn Tupaea has knee-ligament damage. Additionally, Anton Segner was sidelined earlier in the tour after undergoing ankle surgery.

Keohane suggests that the mood surrounding the touring All Blacks has shifted since their initial Test victory at Ellis Park. The current challenge for the team appears to be enduring the concluding stages of what has been described as an old-fashioned tour.

In contrast, Rassie Erasmus has maintained consistency in the Springboks’ squad, retaining 22 of the 23 players from their victory at FNB Stadium. The only change sees Damian Willemse replace the injured Cheslin Kolbe. This continuity is believed to have enhanced the Springboks’ defensive capabilities and decision-making, while also re-establishing their dominance in set-pieces.

During the match at FNB Stadium, the All Blacks conceded 12 penalties, which allowed South Africa to gain territory and create attacking opportunities. Keohane anticipates that the Springboks will once again leverage their physical advantage in the Baltimore fixture.

Etzebeth reflects on the rivalry and US fixture

Veteran Springbok player Eben Etzebeth has described the series against the All Blacks as an “amazing time” to be involved in. The team has travelled to the United States of America for this match, which marks the first time in 30 years that such a tour has occurred.

The last time the All Blacks visited South Africa for an old-school tour, including matches against club sides, was in 1996. This 2026 visit saw the All Blacks secure victories against all four United Rugby Championship franchises. However, their Test matches did not fare as well, with Dave Rennie‘s side departing Soweto having fallen behind in the series, despite an initial lead in Johannesburg on August 22.

The All Blacks’ initial 33-16 win was followed by consecutive victories for the Springboks: 33-26 in Cape Town and 29-24 in Soweto. These results placed Erasmus’ team ahead in the series with only the American fixture remaining.

South Africa last played in the US in 2018, when the Springboks defeated Wales in Washington DC. The 2031 Rugby World Cup is scheduled to be held in the US. Etzebeth, who is set to make his 146th Test appearance this weekend, expressed his eagerness to experience the atmosphere of the series finale in the US.

This match will be Etzebeth’s fourth consecutive start for the Springboks in the series and his fifth consecutive Test match appearance. He began his 2026 involvement with a victory over Argentina in Buenos Aires on August 8, after an injury had kept him out of the July section of the Nations Championship.

Etzebeth emphasised the significance of every Test match against the All Blacks, noting the rivalry and what it means to both teams. He highlighted the special nature of this particular match, describing it as a decider for the series. He also acknowledged the brutal nature of playing against the All Blacks four weeks in a row, calling it a massive privilege.

He credited the coaching staff for the team’s turnaround in Cape Town and Soweto, stating that they keep the players accountable. Etzebeth also noted the players’ ability to rally together when they don’t start well, citing similar situations in the British and Irish Lions series and both World Cups where they faced early setbacks but recovered.

Etzebeth described his return to play after a suspension and injury as frustrating but ultimately rewarding. He spent time with his family during his recovery and focused on regaining fitness and improving his skills. He expressed his excitement about playing in America for the first time, especially with the 2031 World Cup approaching, seeing the Baltimore match as a good step to grow rugby in the country.

Commercial considerations drive Baltimore fixture

The decision to play a significant fixture between the Springboks and All Blacks in Baltimore, Maryland, is largely attributed to commercial factors. The series, while celebrating a 105-year rivalry, was primarily driven by the commercial appeal for the South African Rugby Union (Saru) and New Zealand Rugby (NZR) to resume full tours after 30 years.

Sources indicate that Saru and NZR are each expected to earn R90-million more from the Baltimore game than they would have if the match had been held in South Africa. The first three Tests reportedly generated between R60-million and R80-million each. The increased income from the Baltimore match includes a fee from World Rugby, which is incentivising matches in the US in anticipation of the RWC 2031.

Saru CEO Rian Oberholzer stated that taking the Springboks to new audiences and territories is a key objective for South African rugby. He highlighted the opportunity to engage with a developing rugby ecosystem in the US, especially with both men’s and women’s Rugby World Cups heading to the country in the coming years.

The commercial drive is not solely about profit but also about self-preservation for both unions, particularly after the challenges posed by the Covid pandemic. The pandemic significantly impacted their financial reserves and reshaped the global rugby landscape, leading to the end of Super Rugby in its previous format.

The actual income figures for the series have not been publicly disclosed but are expected to be revealed in the 2026 financial statements. The 2025 British & Irish Lions tour to Australia, which boosted the Australian Rugby Union’s overall matchday earnings to Aus$146.8-million, serves as a comparison for potential revenue. Even a portion of this revenue would represent a substantial financial gain.

Saru’s national teams’ budget in its 2025 financial statement was R221-million, excluding Springboks matchday costs of an additional R213-million. This indicates rising costs and a need for increased income. Saru’s total group revenue in 2025 was approximately R2.02-billion, with other operating income of about R114-million. However, operating expenses were around R2.2-billion, resulting in an overall operating loss of approximately R42-million before tax credits.

World Rugby’s commercial ambitions for the US market also play a role. A six-year strategy launched in May 2026 confirmed that the global governing body will invest £200-million in the US market leading up to the 2031 Men’s Rugby World Cup. Baltimore is one of 27 cities being considered to host matches for that World Cup.

The US is considered an untapped market, particularly for South Africa, and represents the biggest broadcast market globally. This match provides an opportunity for both teams to engage with new fans, gather data on US audiences, and gain experience with logistics in the US before the 2031 World Cup. While London and Ireland were considered for a neutral venue, the timing and financial incentives made the US the preferred choice for this fixture.

Source: sarugbymag.co.za