Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry is about to take an extraordinary detour: from the cauldron of Soweto to a 12-hour flight across the Atlantic, with the Springboks and All Blacks travelling together towards an American showdown.
Springbok coach Rassie Erasmus confirmed that Handré Pollard, Grant Williams and Canan Moodie will travel to the United States and be available for selection for the fourth and final Test of the Greatest Rivalry series in Baltimore.
The trio will join the squad for Sunday’s charter flight, the day after South Africa and New Zealand collide at FNB Stadium in Soweto on Saturday.
“Handré, Grant Williams and Canan Moodie will be on the plane to Baltimore,” Erasmus said. “They’ll be ready for selection next week.”
Pollard has been sidelined with a calf injury, opening the door for Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu to start at flyhalf, with Manie Libbok providing cover. Williams has recovered from the grade one hamstring injury suffered in the opening Test at Ellis Park, while Moodie has returned from the hamstring injury sustained against Argentina.
Back at the Calabash for the first time since 2013.#Springboks #ForeverGreenForeverGold #RugbysGreatestRivalry pic.twitter.com/53wR3STeDh
— Springboks (@Springboks) August 31, 2026
Then comes the delicious rugby oddity: yesterday’s enemies becoming tomorrow’s travelling companions.
“It’s kind of a weird thing to do,” Erasmus said. “We fly on the same charter on Sunday, us and New Zealand on the same plane.
“Yesterday we were coming hard at each other and now we’re sitting on a plane together for 12 or 15 hours.”
The coaches may have spent the previous day playing tactical chess across the halfway line, then find themselves seated within conversational distance at 30 000 feet.
“It’s an interesting experience, but recovery is going to be important. It’s the same for both teams.”
Baltimore offers another chapter in a rivalry already bursting at the seams with history. The fourth Test will be staged at M&T Bank Stadium, home of the NFL’s Baltimore Ravens, marking the first meeting between South Africa and New Zealand on American soil.
“We play in stadiums all over the world. The field is still 70 metres by 100 metres,” Erasmus said.
“It’s something different for us to experience, and for the people who can get tickets to see the players in person. We’re really looking forward to it.”
The Boks coach sees the American adventure as rugby’s rolling maul reaching a new audience.
“It’s an exciting thing for us. We love taking rugby to people. Whenever I’ve been there, it’s a great experience.”
The rivalry’s global reach was already evident when SA Rugby president Mark Alexander welcomed NZ Rugby president Erin Rush to South Africa.
“We welcome Erin [Rush] and the All Blacks the old foe here. We’re great friends and always bring the best out of each other,” Alexander said. “The one thing about rugby, it brings people together. And the two nations have got a long history, you know.”
Alexander then delivered the heavyweight statistic.
“Between the two of us, we won 70% of the World Cups hosted to date. So, it is the greatest rivalry. And that’s why we’ve got the best two teams in the world competing in the next couple of weeks in South Africa.”
Rush, New Zealand Rugby’s first female president in 134 years, embraced the warmth of the South African welcome.
“It’s been amazing. There’s a lot at stake,” she said.
“Firstly, I want to say thank you to South Africa Rugby and the people of South Africa for their generous hospitality. Also, for bringing such intense anticipation and a huge match-up on the field. It is so exciting and we’ve got so many of our supporters here who are enjoying it too.”
Her journey to the presidency is remarkable. Rush, 56, became NZ Rugby president in May 2026 after serving as vice-president from 2024 to 2026. She was Black Fern No. 113, made her international debut in 2003 at 33 weeks after giving birth, captained Wellington Pride, won 100 provincial caps and played for Wellington FC.
Her pioneering rugby footprint stretches further. In 1998, she co-commentated the first Black Ferns Test broadcast live on television during the World Cup final.
From Soweto’s thunder to Baltimore’s bright lights, the rivalry keeps expanding its borders. The friendship between its custodians gives the contest a human heartbeat.
Come Sunday, though, the old foes will board the same aircraft.
Come Test day in Baltimore, the runway will be gone, the niceties parked and rugby’s heavyweight title back in the scrum.
