{
  "id": 2086971,
  "title": "Josh Kronfeld puzzled by All Blacks vs Springboks fourth Test in Baltimore",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/20/josh-kronfeld-puzzled-by-all-blacks-vs-springboks-fourth-test-in",
  "topic": "culture",
  "section": "Culture",
  "published": "2026-08-20T06:36:00.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "IOL",
    "slug": "iol",
    "url": "https://iol.co.za/sport/rugby/2026-08-20-josh-kronfeld-puzzled-by-all-blacks-vs-springboks-fourth-test-in-baltimore/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Former All Blacks openside flanker Josh Kronfeld expressed his confusion over the decision to conclude the four-match Rugby World Cup series in Baltimore, USA, on September 12. Speaking to IOL in an exclusive interview, Kronfeld stated that he does not see the logic behind ending the tour in Baltimore, particularly if South Africa wins the home series 2-1. Kronfeld believes that playing the final game in Baltimore would provide an opportunity for redemption, depending on the outcome of the series. The four consecutive weeks of fixtures between the two rugby giants, the All Blacks and the Springboks, began this weekend with the first Test in Johannesburg. The teams are set to clash again in Cape Town on August 29, followed by a third encounter at the iconic FNB Stadium in Johannesburg on September 5. Afterward, they will travel to the United States for a match that is specifically designed to promote the global growth of the sport. For Kronfeld, who played 54 matches for New Zealand between 1995 and 2000, the decision to bring the rivalry to America at this stage of the tour seems puzzling. While he acknowledges the financial aspect, he insists there must be a sporting reason behind the decision. Kronfeld suggests that if a team wins the series in the USA, it would likely need to secure a victory in the opening Test to have a fighting chance. He imagines the build-up to the return match in Johannesburg as particularly intense if the series is tied 1-1 after the first Test.",
  "summary": "Former All Black Josh Kronfeld has questioned the logic behind South Africa and New Zealand staging a fourth Test match in the USA, citing concerns over narrative and series stakes.",
  "key_points": [
    "Josh Kronfeld puzzled by All Blacks vs Springboks final Test in Baltimore.",
    "Series to conclude September 12 in Baltimore, USA.",
    "Kronfeld questions sporting logic behind final Test location."
  ],
  "editors_take": "The decision to stage the fourth Test between the All Blacks and Springboks in Baltimore seems illogical to Josh Kronfeld, as it may not provide a sporting payoff depending on the series outcome.",
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}