South Africa’s Ambassador to the United States, Roelf Meyer, will host the Springboks at the South African Embassy in Washington, DC, on Thursday as the world champions prepare for the final chapter of their epic battle against the All Blacks.
The reception comes as the Springboks arrive in the United States riding high after their dramatic 29-24 victory over New Zealand at FNB Stadium in Soweto, a result that gave them a 2-1 advantage in the four-Test Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry series.
Meyer’s gathering with the Springboks is expected to provide a moment for the South African diplomatic mission to celebrate the team’s achievements while also rallying the players ahead of what promises to be another fierce encounter with their oldest rivals.
The Springboks arrived in Baltimore to a heroes’ welcome from South African supporters living in the United States, with fans turning out to greet the team after their victory in Johannesburg.
But while there will be time for celebration on Thursday, the focus will quickly return to the business of rugby.
The fourth Test will be played at M&T Bank Stadium in Baltimore on Saturday, September 12, in what will be the first Springbok Test in the city. The stadium, home of the NFL’s Baltimore Ravens, can accommodate more than 70,000 spectators.
Boks one step from finishing the job
The Springboks have already put themselves in a commanding position.
Having lost the opening Test, South Africa fought back to win the next two matches and take a 2-1 lead.
The victory at FNB Stadium was particularly significant because the Springboks had to withstand a determined All Blacks challenge before pulling away in the second half.
New Zealand led the early exchanges and the two sides went into halftime level at 12-12, but the Springboks produced a stronger second-half performance to secure the crucial victory.
Now the equation is simple.
The Springboks cannot lose the series.
A victory in Baltimore, however, would give South Africa a 3-1 series triumph and allow the Boks to lift the Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry trophy outright.
For the All Blacks, the situation is equally clear: they have to win.
A New Zealand victory would level the series at 2-2 and deny South Africa the outright series victory.
That makes Saturday’s match far more than just another Test between two rugby giants.
A historic American stage
Taking the rivalry to the United States adds another dimension to an already historic series.
The fourth Test is part of a broader effort to expose rugby’s biggest international rivalry to new audiences, with the United States preparing to host the men’s Rugby World Cup in 2031 and the women’s tournament in 2033.
For South Africans living in America, the match also provides a rare opportunity to watch the Springboks in their adopted country.
The sight of South African flags and supporters welcoming the team in Baltimore has already demonstrated that the Boks remain a powerful symbol of national pride, even thousands of kilometres from home.
The embassy reception hosted by Meyer therefore carries significance beyond rugby.
It gives the South African diplomatic mission an opportunity to bring together sport, national identity and the South African community in the United States.
All Blacks fighting for pride
While the Springboks have the advantage, New Zealand will not arrive in Baltimore prepared to surrender.
The All Blacks are determined to prevent South Africa from completing the series with a 3-1 victory.
They will, however, enter the match without several key players.
Captain Ardie Savea, who scored two tries in the third Test, suffered a dislocated shoulder and has been ruled out of the final encounter. Luke Jacobson and Quinn Tupaea are also unavailable after suffering injuries in Johannesburg.
New Zealand coach Dave Rennie is consequently expected to make changes as his team attempts to force a 2-2 draw.
The All Blacks’ motivation will be enormous.
They may no longer be able to win the series outright, but defeating the Springboks in Baltimore would prevent South Africa from finishing the rivalry with the upper hand.
Rassie wants a strong finish
Springbok coach Rassie Erasmus has also made it clear that his team is not travelling to the United States merely to protect its series lead.
South Africa wants to finish the job.
Erasmus has largely retained the side that defeated New Zealand in Soweto, with Morne van den Berg promoted to the starting XV and Cobus Reinach moving to the bench.
The message from the Springbok camp is therefore one of concentration rather than complacency.
The Boks know that a 2-1 lead gives them an advantage, but they also know that the All Blacks have enough quality to punish any lapse in concentration.
More than just a rugby match
Saturday’s encounter will therefore carry several meanings.
For the Springboks, it is an opportunity to put the final stamp on a series victory against their greatest rivals.
For the All Blacks, it is a chance to restore pride and prevent South Africa from claiming a 3-1 triumph.
For the thousands of South Africans living in the United States, it is an opportunity to see their national team on American soil.
And for rugby itself, Baltimore represents another important step in taking the sport to an American audience ahead of the country’s hosting of future Rugby World Cups.
The Springboks and All Blacks have been involved in one of the greatest rivalries in international sport for more than a century. Their meeting in Baltimore will take that rivalry into a new territory.
The Boks have already won the battle for the series advantage.
Now they want the final victory.
Kick-off is scheduled for 23:00 South African time on Saturday, September 12, at M&T Bank Stadium in Baltimore.