The Springbok squad received a warm welcome after touching down in Baltimore, Maryland, where they are gearing up for their fourth and final test match against the All Blacks this weekend in the Greatest Rivalry series.

The rugby rivals will play at the 70 000 seater M&T Bank Stadium. It will mark the first time South Africa and New Zealand have played each other in the US.

SPRINGBOKS GREETED BY SA FANS, GWIGO SONGS

In clips posted on social media, the Springbok squad, including players and staff, were greeted by a warm reception at the Baltimore Washington International airport.

In the arrivals department – in the early hours of Monday morning, no less –  were scores of South Africans wearing their Springbok jerseys and waving South African flags.

The rugby fans, likely living or visiting the US, excitedly sang and cheered on the players.

In other clips, Springbok captain Siya Kolisi was seen joining the crowd who belted out Gwigo praise songs.

Take a look…

Springboks thought they have left RSA, only to be met by a bunch of "Legal foreigners" in USA.
🇿🇦🇿🇦🇿🇦 Bokke everywhere!!!❤️❤️ pic.twitter.com/SxvNrRrX7b

— El-MAJOR_GENERAL (@CollinSmit90755) September 7, 2026

Springboks arriving in America 🇺🇸 pic.twitter.com/D49sYLC2Qh

— Peché Africa 🇿🇦 (@pmcafrica) September 7, 2026

Baltimore are you ready!!! @Springboks pic.twitter.com/nnEmVYMFo8

— Madea (@MadooraMopedi) September 7, 2026

The Springboks have landed!!! Baltimore is about to host the Greatest Rivalry in the history of rugby.
South Africans descended on BWI airport to welcome the team. pic.twitter.com/SvISCbwshg

— South African Embassy, Washington D.C (@RSAinDC) September 7, 2026

WHAT TIME DOES THE GREATEST RIVARLY MATCH TAKE PLACE?

South Africans will have to stay up a little longer to watch the Springboks play the All Blacks on Saturday, 12 September at 11 pm SA time.

This weekend’s match will mark the first time the countries clash in the US.

The match will take place at the NFL Stadium, M&T Bank, which has a slightly smaller seating capacity than the FNB Stadium in Johannesburg.

The Boks have only played in the US twice this millennium before this match.

Baltimore itself is hoping to to be selected as a host city to the 2031 Rugby World Cup, set to take place in the US.

HOW MANY SAFFAS LIVE IN THE US?

According to statistics from a 2023 US consensus, around 85 000 South Africans live in the US.

The state of Maryland – where the Springboks will play – has an expat community of 2000.

However, that figure is likely to change, given the influx of South African refugees under US President’s resettlement programme.