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

The captains of South Africa and New Zealand expressed hope that a record-breaking 68,173 fans attending Saturday's Greatest Rivalry rugby match in Baltimore's M&T Stadium would generate interest in the 2031 World Cup, which the United States will host. The crowd was predominantly South African, with a few New Zealand jerseys and a mix of neutral supporters.

Rugby has struggled to gain traction in the U.S. market, but Saturday's enthusiastic turnout indicated potential for growth in a region already dominated by sports like baseball, basketball, and football. Both Taylor and Kolisi emphasized the importance of exposing Americans to more rugby to generate excitement for the upcoming World Cup.

Taylor noted the American passion for sports and the crowd's enthusiastic support for rugby. Kolisi suggested that NFL teams may eventually adopt rugby as an offseason option, potentially investing in American clubs and allowing American players to participate. He also believed that rugby's physical nature would appeal to American audiences, and that increased exposure through TV broadcasts could further bolster the sport's popularity.