CHASING THE GREEN: The money game — why the Springboks and All Blacks are playing in Baltimore
The Springboks and All Blacks will meet in the fourth Test of the Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry series at the M&T Bank Stadium in Baltimore, Maryland, this weekend. How did this game end up in the US?
The Springboks and All Blacks will clash in the fourth Test of Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry series at the M&T Bank Stadium in Baltimore, Maryland this weekend. This unlikely scenario has emerged after a grueling third Test in Soweto. The main reason for this international trip is the potential for increased revenue. The South African Rugby Union (Saru) and New Zealand Rugby (NZR) will earn significantly more from the Baltimore game than they would have in South Africa.
According to sources, each of the first three Tests brought in between R60-million and R80-million, and the Baltimore match will net each team R90-million more. This income includes a fee from World Rugby, which is encouraging teams to play matches in the US ahead of the 2031 Rugby World Cup in South Africa. Both unions have invested in marketing efforts, with TEG, an Australian agency, securing the deal in Baltimore.
Resuming full tours post-COVID was a necessity for both unions, which faced financial strain. Although the exact income figures for this tour are not public, they are expected to be disclosed in the 2026 financial statements. This venture is seen as a strategic move to boost the financial health of the sport in the long term.
Written by urgent.news from Daily Maverick's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
