South Africa and NZ rugby captains see record crowd as a 2031 US World Cup ‘appetizer’

On Saturday, almost 70,000 spectators gathered at Baltimore's M&T Stadium for the final Greatest Rivalry rugby test between South Africa and New Zealand. The event marked a significant milestone, as the crowd represented the largest ever for a rugby international in the United States.

The presence of fans wearing jerseys of both teams, along with a mix of South Africans, New Zealanders, and neutral supporters, emphasized the sport's growing appeal in America. Rugby has long sought to break into the lucrative American sporting market, with limited success thus far. However, the massive turnout for this particular match provided a promising sign that rugby could gain a foothold in the country, where baseball, basketball, and football dominate.

During post-match news conferences, both South Africa's captain Siya Kolisi and New Zealand's captain Siyanbula Taylor expressed optimism about the potential for American rugby fans to embrace the sport. Taylor highlighted how excited Americans were to experience rugby, praising their dedication to sports. Kolisi added that the event demonstrated how Americans are receptive to new sports when given the opportunity to see them frequently and prominently featured on television.

Looking ahead to the 2031 World Cup, which the United States will host, both captains stressed the importance of increasing exposure to rugby. Kolisi suggested that NFL teams could potentially adopt rugby as an offseason option, investing in existing American clubs and allowing players from other sports to try the game. He believed that increased participation and exposure to rugby would make it more appealing to American audiences, who favor physically demanding sports.

Both captains expressed confidence that with continued effort and increased visibility, rugby could become a beloved sport in the United States.