Overview
- The fourth and final Test will be played at M&T Bank Stadium in Baltimore on Saturday, September 12, with South Africa defending a 2-1 series lead in the four-match 'Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry'.
- New Zealand have reshaped their side for the decider, recalling flyhalf Richie Mo'unga and naming hooker Codie Taylor captain after injuries to key players including Ardie Savea.
- Match control and set-piece interpretation remain central talking points, with England’s Karl Dickson appointed referee and officials expected to influence the contest’s scrum and breakdown battles.
- The fixture is a commercial experiment for World Rugby, with organisers expecting about 70,000 fans, average ticket prices near $200, and an estimated extra ~$8 million in receipts for the two unions versus a South Africa venue.
- Beyond the result, the game is meant to signal whether top-level Tests can be staged regularly in the U.S. ahead of the 2031 World Cup and to shape both teams' selection thinking for the next World Cup cycle.