The captains of South Africa and New Zealand stepped onto the field on Saturday with a clear mission: to spark American interest in rugby ahead of the 2031 Rugby World Cup, which the United States is slated to host. The match, billed as the final installment of the "Greatest Rivalry" series, unfolded at the home of the NFL's Baltimore Ravens before an astonishing crowd of 68,173 spectators— the largest ever recorded for a rugby international on American soil. From the opening whistle, the atmosphere was electric. The sea of fans in the stadium was dominated by the vivid green of the Springboks, interspersed with the iconic black of the All Blacks and a scattering of neutral supporters eager to witness world‑class rugby.
The game itself lived up to the hype, delivering a high‑scoring spectacle that saw South Africa emerge victorious by a 43‑28 margin, clinching the series 3‑1. Rugby has long struggled to carve out a niche in the United States, a market dominated by football, basketball, baseball and hockey. Yet the turnout on Saturday suggested that the sport may finally be finding a foothold.
The sheer size of the crowd, coupled with the enthusiasm evident in chants, cheers and social media buzz, indicates that American fans are ready to embrace a new, physically demanding team sport. After the match, All Blacks captain Codie Taylor and Springboks leader Siya Kolisi both emphasized the importance of exposing U.S. audiences to more rugby content. Taylor praised the American sports culture, noting, "It's great to come over here and see what America has to offer.
They love their sports and they got right behind rugby." He added that the passion Americans show for their own games could translate into a fervent following for rugby, especially as the 2031 World Cup approaches. "America has obviously got some great sports and they're fanatical about every sport they're involved in. It would be great to see US Rugby keep building. Leading into 2031, it's in a strong place to lay the foundation for what will be an awesome World Cup," Taylor said.
Kolisi echoed these sentiments, offering a vision of rugby becoming a regular feature on the American sporting calendar. He suggested that NFL franchises could play a pivotal role by adopting rugby as an off‑season activity and investing in existing U.S. clubs.
"I really think Americans would love rugby if they get to see more of it and if it's shown a whole lot more on TV," Kolisi remarked. He acknowledged that growing the sport would require "a lot of hard work," but remained optimistic. "If NFL teams buy into rugby, become part‑owners of rugby clubs, and allow their players who aren't getting game time to try rugby, that could help the game a lot.
Also, it's a sport Americans would actually enjoy—they love physical sports. The more teams that come and play here, the more people become invested in the rugby teams." The match also marked a personal milestone for South Africa's head coach Rassie Erasmus, who celebrated his 100th test in charge of the Springboks. Kolisi paid tribute to Erasmus, highlighting his deep understanding of the squad and his ability to motivate players. "We've got coach Rassie," Kolisi said.
"He knows us and gets us up. When he speaks to us he reminds us where we come from. The players who are in the group but not playing today, we do it for them, the guys who are injured and also for the people of South Africa who would love to have the opportunities we have." Beyond the immediate excitement of the match, the event serves as a strategic showcase for the upcoming World Cup.
Organizers hope that the buzz generated by such high‑profile fixtures will translate into increased ticket sales, broadcast deals and grassroots participation across the United States. The presence of over 68,000 fans demonstrates that there is a sizable market ready to be tapped, especially if rugby can secure prime television slots and partnerships with major American sports networks. Looking ahead, stakeholders are exploring several avenues to sustain momentum. These include scheduling more test matches in major U.S.
venues, launching school‑level development programs, and leveraging the NFL's massive platform to cross‑promote rugby. Additionally, the 2031 World Cup bid emphasizes building state‑of‑the‑art stadiums, fan zones and community outreach initiatives that could leave a lasting legacy for American rugby.
In summary, Saturday's record‑breaking crowd at Baltimore's NFL stadium not only delivered a thrilling contest between two of rugby's powerhouses but also signaled a growing appetite for the sport in a traditionally non‑rugby nation. With the combined efforts of players, coaches, league officials and potential NFL partners, the United States may well become a vibrant new hub for rugby, setting the stage for a memorable 2031 World Cup. All games are broadcast live on Sky Sports, with kick‑off times listed for the UK and Ireland.