Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry series could be decided in the United States of America, according to reports.
Later this year, the Springboks will welcome the All Blacks to South African shores with the New Zealanders tackling the back-to-back world champions in three Test matches in the republic.
Scott Robertson’s men will face all four of the United Rugby Championship franchises, the Stormers, Sharks, Bulls and Lions, respectively, with a fourth Test taking place on foreign soil.
USA take the lead to host Springboks-All Blacks’ decider
SA Rugby and NZ Rugby unveiled details of the tour in October with the Springboks and All Blacks locking horns at Ellis Park, DHL Stadium, and FNB Stadium in the three matches on South African soil – the first Test series between the two nations since 1996.
The venue for the fourth and final international was not confirmed at the time, but many predicted that it would take place in the USA, Dublin or London.
According to a report by Rapport, SA Rugby and NZ Rugby are ‘close to an agreement’ which will see the final Test match take place in the USA.
The Springboks have twice played matches in America, facing the USA Eagles in Houston back in 2001 before playing Wales in Washington DC – Rassie Erasmus’ first game as head coach in 2018.
More recently, the All Blacks collided with Ireland at Soldier Field in Chicago in November 2025, a rematch of the two sides meeting at the same ground back in 2016, when Ireland claimed their first-ever win over New Zealand.
The Eagles also hosted the New Zealanders in 2014 and 2021, with the All Blacks winning 74-6 and 104-14, respectively.
The report states that the exact venue in the USA has not been decided yet, but that such a Test match would generate great interest and support for rugby in the build-up to the 2031 Rugby World Cup.
When New Zealand and Ireland faced off in Chicago last November, around 60,000 fans packed into Soldier Field, and it is understood that the All Blacks are eager to continue their brand growth in the US, with NZ Rugby and SA Rugby bosses hopeful that the game will be sold out.
Only a handful of times have the two sides collided at a neutral venue outside of the World Cups. They faced off twice in Australia during the 2021 Rugby Championship due to the pandemic before meeting at Twickenham Stadium in London ahead of the 2023 Rugby World Cup.
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