Key events
Although it is narrow for a rugby pitch.
They’re using every inch available to them but this will be tighter than usual. Will that help the Boks?
There’s also a very small goal area. Clearing kicks could be a precarious act.
It does look like an incredible arena.
As the Fifa World Cup proved, stadiums in the US are on another level.
And of course, they’re kicking things off with the Star Spangled Banner.
Loads more Springboks jerseys than All Blacks in the stands.
Some info on the venue:
M&T Bank Stadium is a 71,000-capacity NFL venue and the home of the Baltimore Ravens.
The pitch has been laid over the Ravens’ usual playing surface.
The stadium is known locally as “The Bank”. It has 142 suites and more than 8,000 club seats, which helps explain the decision to stage it here.
The Baltimore Ravens are operated by Steve Bisciotti – with a net-worth north of $10bil – who first bought a minority stake in the franchise in 2000 before completing his majority purchase in 2004.
I know what you’re thinking: ‘Why is this game between South Africa and New Zealand being played in Baltimore?’
Good question. There are three answers.
It’s going to make a lot of money. Some reports suggest up to $8mil more than if the game was staged in South Africa. And with both SA and NZ splitting the revenue of the tour 50-50, they’re both more than happy to get that dolla!
Secondly, World Rugby, who have helped with the marketing and other logistics for this one, are keen to grow the sport in the US ahead of the 2031 World Cup. They’d like a stronger US national team, but they’ll be more than happy if enough American sports fans take an interest in these two juggernauts and spend money on tickets in five years.
Finally, the Boks and All Blacks are keen to grow their own brands in this relatively untapped market. NZ have already played two games in the US (both against Ireland) in recent years and the Boks have turned Twickenham in a home away from home. They seen themselves as the two most marketable properties in the sport – and there’s no denying they’re the two most successful sides – and they’d like to maxmise their earning potential.
Take a read of Martin Pengelly’s preview:
New Zealand team
Dave Rennie has made seven changes with the standout switch at fly-half.
Richie Mo’unga, one of the best 10s in the game, one of the best 10s in All Blacks history, starts for the first time since the 2023 World Cup final (where he was magnificent).
There are six other changes for this one.
Codie Taylor captains as Ardie Savea is out injured having copped a nasty blow from Malcolm Marx at a ruck. Taylor is part of a new front row alongside. Ethan de Groot and Fletcher Newell, while Patrick Tuipulotu comes into the second row to partner Sam Darry.
Tupou Vaa’i moves to blindside flanker, Ethan Blackadder comes in at openside and Peter Lakai starts at No 8.
Anton Lienert-Brown replaces the injured Quinn Tupaea at inside centre, while Josh Moorby comes in for Leroy Carter on the left wing.
The experienced Reiko Ioane and Beauden Barrett will start off the bench.
New Zealand: Damian McKenzie; Will Jordan, Anton Lienert-Brown, Jordie Barrett, Josh Moorby; Richie Mo’unga, Cam Roigard; Ethan de Groot, Codie Taylor (captain), Fletcher Newell, Patrick Tuipulotu, Sam Darry, Tupou Vaa’i, Ethan Blackadder, Peter Lakai.
Replacements: Asafo Aumua, Xavier Numia, Tyrel Lomax, Josh Lord, Wallace Sititi, Kyle Preston, Rieko Ioane, Beauden Barrett.
South Africa team
Proving that the series is still on the line, the Springboks have made only two changes to the side that won in Soweto.
The fit-again Damian Willemse returns at full-back in place of Cheslin Kolbe, who broke his jaw in the third Test.
Morné van den Berg is the other change, promoted to scrum-half with Cobus Reinach moving to the bench. Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu remains at fly-half, while the midfield combination of Jesse Kriel and Damian de Allende is retained.
Ox Nché, Malcolm Marx and Wilco Louw remain together in what must be the most formidable front row going, with Eben Etzebeth and Ruan Nortjé behind them. Pieter-Steph du Toit, Siya Kolisi and Jasper Wiese extend their record as the most-capped back-row trio in Springboks history.
South Africa: Damian Willemse; Kurt-Lee Arendse, Jesse Kriel, Damian de Allende, Ethan Hooker; Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu, Morné van den Berg; Ox Nche, Malcolm Marx, Wilco Louw, Eben Etzebeth, Ruan Nortje, Siya Kolisi (cap), Pieter-Steph du Toit, Jasper Wiese.
Replacements: Deon Fourie, Gerhard Steenekamp, Thomas du Toit, Lood de Jager, André Esterhuizen, Cameron Hanekom, Cobus Reinach, Manie Libbok.
Preamble
Daniel Gallan
At last we come to the end of an epic series.
Six weeks ago the New Zealand All Blacks arrived in South Africa with a point to prove and a dynasty to topple.
They got things going with a 38-31 win over the Stormers of Cape Town before sweeping the Sharks of Durban 54-0 in the rain, where the All Black legend Ma’a Nonu performed a solo Haka against his former team.
Another tune-up win over the Bulls from Pretoria – a 50-19 drubbing – proved their readiness. Could they handle the double world champion Springboks on their own patch?
They answered emphatically with a stunning attacking display in Johannesburg, scoring three second-half tries in a 33-16 triumph.
Would Rassie Erasmus come up with a riposte? You bet. After a build-up that included some heated words exchanged from both camps, the Springboks roared back to win 33-26 in Cape Town. Though a close shave before kick-off stole most of the post-match headlines.
With the series squared at 1-1, there was a lot riding on the Test in Soweto. New Zealand had the better start but the Boks’ extra heft proved the difference. The 29-24 scoreline did not reflect the home team’s dominance.
This Test in Baltimore, USA, is officially the series decider. A win for New Zealand would see the trophy split in two, with both teams taking a half each. Some pundits and fans have suggested that this is little more than a money-spinner, that the real series has already been wrapped up.
But this remains a contest between the two best teams in the sport. They could play on the far side of Uranus and they would still want to tear lumps out of each other.
This is indeed rugby’s greatest rivalry and the on-field action has lived up to the billing. Once more, then, the old enemies meet – this time beneath the Baltimore lights, with South Africa seeking to finish the job and New Zealand fighting to salvage a share of the spoils.
The stage is set. Let’s get this show on the road.
Kick-off at 10pm BST/5pm in Baltimore.
Teams and further updates to come.