(WATCH)Springboks arrive to cheering crowd ahead of All Blacks Baltimore showdown
The Springboks have landed in Baltimore, and South African fans have made sure they know they are not alone.
The South African Springboks arrived in Baltimore to a hero's welcome from passionate supporters, who sang Shosholoza, waved flags, and sounded vuvuzelas ahead of their historic final Test against the New Zealand All Blacks on September 12. This encounter marks one of the most intense rivalries in international rugby, with the two teams having met in 1921 when New Zealand toured South Africa.
Since then, their meetings have been characterized by physical play, tactical battles, and high-stakes rugby, resulting in numerous memorable moments such as World Cup finals and iconic clashes between generations of players.
South Africa holds a 2-1 series lead after defeating New Zealand 29-24 at FNB Stadium in Soweto. The Boks, led by coach Rassie Erasmus, will be aiming to conclude the tour on a high, although they will be without star winger Cheslin Kolbe, who is recovering from a fractured jaw. The team has welcomed back key players such as Handré Pollard, Damian Willemse, and Canan Moodie.
The Test match will kick off at 11 am in Baltimore, which means South African fans will need to tune in at 5 pm SAST. For New Zealand supporters, the match starts at 3 am on Sunday, 13 September. The game is set to take place at the 71,000-seat M&T Bank Stadium, home of the Baltimore Ravens, providing an excellent venue for the climactic finale of this storied rivalry.
The fixture is part of a broader effort to expand rugby's global audience and introduce the sport to American fans, coinciding with the US's preparations to host the 2031 Men's and 2033 Women's Rugby World Cups.
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