Springboks, All Blacks Set for Baltimore Series Decider

South Africa’s Springboks and New Zealand’s All Blacks will meet Saturday at Baltimore’s M&T Bank Stadium in the fourth and final test of their series, with the Springboks holding a 2-1 lead after winning the past two matches. South Africa needs only a draw to claim the series, while New Zealand must win to force a level result. The All Blacks will enter the decider with a new captain, Codie Taylor, and the return of flyhalf Richie Mo’unga, but injuries have weakened their squad; former Springbok captain Naas Botha said South Africa’s forwards have created a significant advantage in the scrum and maul. The match is the first meaningful series test between the rugby powers to be held in the United States and is expected to draw a sellout crowd, part of efforts to grow American interest ahead of the 2031 men’s Rugby World Cup and 2033 women’s tournament. Both teams have suggested the Baltimore setting could produce a more open contest after three highly physical matches in South Africa, while the result will provide an important measure of each side’s form heading into the next World Cup cycle.