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South Africa defeated New Zealand 43-28 in Baltimore to capture the inaugural Rugby's Greatest Rivalry series 3-1 and secure the top world ranking.
Springboks seal historic series win against All Blacks in Baltimore
South Africa secured a 43-28 victory over New Zealand at the home of the NFL's Baltimore Ravens, capturing the inaugural Rugby's Greatest Rivalry series 3-1 on Saturday, 12 September 2026. The high-stakes clash marked the first traditional series between the two rugby powerhouses in 30 years and served as head coach Rassie Erasmus' 100th Test match in charge. The fixture also set a new attendance record for a rugby union match in the United States at M&T Bank Stadium, according to Sky Sports. The victory secures top spot in the world rankings for the reigning world champions, while the All Blacks needed a win to claim a share of the spoils.
Entering the fourth Test with a 2-1 lead after previous encounters on South African soil, the Springboks weathered a spirited All Blacks comeback in front of a record-breaking American crowd. The visitors had opened the series with a 33-16 win at Johannesburg's Ellis Park before South Africa hit back with a 33-26 victory in Cape Town and a narrow 29-24 triumph at Soweto's FNB Stadium, according to Sky Sports. Ahead of the decider, Springbok captain Siya Kolisi described the intense mental and physical toll of the four-match block, telling Timeslive:
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"In my experience, it doesn't get tougher than this. It's like playing four Rugby World Cup finals in as many weeks"
Siya Kolisi, Springbok captain, via Timeslive
Kolisi and assistant coach Mzwandile Stick both emphasized that the team wanted to win the series outright rather than settle for a draw. The All Blacks brought in several new players and altered their line-up, including the return of Richie Mo’unga to the starting XV at flyhalf. Stick noted that the squad expected Mo'unga to provide a different dynamic in the wide channels, requiring the Springboks to enforce their physical game and adapt on the fly.
Match Progression and Scoring Breakdown
South Africa established a narrow 17-14 half-time lead courtesy of a Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu penalty and converted tries from Damien De Allende and Morné van den Berg. New Zealand stayed within striking distance through early scores from Cody Taylor and a late first-half effort from Will Jordan, with Damian McKenzie converting both, according to Sky Sports.
| Match Phase / Period | South Africa Scorers | New Zealand Scorers | Half-Time / Final Score |
|---|---|---|---|
| First Half | Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu (pen), Damian De Allende (try), Morné van den Berg (try) | Cody Taylor (try), Will Jordan (try), Damian McKenzie (conv) | 17-14 (Half-time) |
| Second Half | Malcolm Marx (try), Steph du Toit (try), Kurt-Lee Arendse (try), Cameron Hanekom (try), Manie Libbok (conv) | Ethan Blackadder (try), Beauden Barrett (try), Damian McKenzie (conv) | 43-28 (Full-time) |
The second half saw the Springboks extend their dominance through driving mauls and dynamic broken-field play. Malcolm Marx and Steph du Toit crossed over in quick succession, before Kurt-Lee Arendse intercepted and raced away under the sticks. Cameron Hanekom added another shortly after to extinguish New Zealand's hopes, rendering Beauden Barrett's late try a mere consolation, as Sky Sports detailed.
Broader Sporting Context and Future Fixtures
The fixture in Maryland served as an important promotional exercise for union ahead of the United States hosting the 2031 Rugby World Cup, according to Rugby World. Assistant coach Mzwandile Stick noted the enthusiastic reception from expatriates and local supporters clad in green and gold around Baltimore, mentioning that he even ticked off a bucket list item by attending a baseball game during the week.
