South Africa and NZ rugby captains see record crowd as a 2031 US World Cup 'appetizer'

BALTIMORE (AP) — The captains of South Africa and New Zealand hoped Saturday’s final Greatest Rivalry rugby test, before almost 70,000 fans at Baltimore’s M&T Stadium, would whet American appetites for the 2031 World Cup, which the United States will host.

Saturday's crowd of 68,173 was the largest ever for a rugby international in the U.S. From the colors speckled among the crowd, most were in the green of South Africa with a few black jerseys of New Zealand and a balance of interested neutrals.

Rugby has tried for years to break into the lucrative American sporting market without great success. Saturday's large and enthusiastic crowd suggested there might yet be a foothold for rugby in America, on ground strongly populated by baseball, basketball and football.

Speaking at post-match news conferences, All Blacks captain Codie Taylor and his Springboks counterpart, Siya Kolisi, agreed that giving Americans more opportunities to see rugby is crucial to whetting their appetites for the World Cup they will host in five years.

“It’s great to come over here and see what America has to offer,” Taylor said. “They love their sports and they got right behind rugby.

“America has obviously got some great sports and they’re fanatical about every sport they’re involved in. It would be great to see U.S. Rugby keep building. Leading into 2031, it’s in a strong place to lay the foundation for what will be an awesome World Cup.”

Kolisi also was positive about the future for rugby in the U.S. He hoped NFL teams might adopt the game as an offseason option, investing in existing American clubs.

“I really think Americans would love rugby if they get to see more of it and if it’s shown a whole lot more on TV,” Kolisi said. But I think it needs a lot of hard work obviously.

“I really believe if the NFL teams buy into rugby and if they become part-owners in the rugby clubs and if some of their players who don’t get to play often, if they let them play rugby I think that would help the game a lot.”

“And also I think it’s a game that Americans would actually enjoy. They love physical sports. So I really think the more teams get to come and play here, the more people are invested in the rugby teams.”

__

See AP’s full rugby coverage here

South African supporters react following their rugby international against New Zealand in Baltimore, USA, Saturday, Sept. 12, 2026. (AP Photo/Stephanie Scarbrough)

The crowd number is shown on a screen during the rugby international between New Zealand and South Africa in Baltimore, USA, Saturday, Sept. 12, 2026. (AP Photo/Stephanie Scarbrough)

South African supporters react following their rugby international against New Zealand in Baltimore, USA, Saturday, Sept. 12, 2026. (AP Photo/Stephanie Scarbrough)

Fans react following the rugby international between South Africa and New Zealand in Baltimore, USA, Saturday, Sept. 12, 2026. (AP Photo/Stephanie Scarbrough)

AUSTIN, Texas (AP) — Arch Manning and No. 4 Texas stole a 24-23 victory from No. 1 Ohio State on Saturday night, rallying from a 20-point fourth-quarter deficit to win it on Hollywood Smothers’ 1-yard touchdown run with 25 seconds left.

The Longhorns' 20-point comeback in the fourth quarter is the largest fourth-quarter rally to win against an AP No. 1 team, according to Sportradar.

The Buckeyes had appeared in complete control after a dominant three quarters and led 23-3.

But Texas (2-0) rallied behind Manning, whose touchdown pass to Ryan Wingo early in the fourth started the comeback. Smothers scored on a 1-yard run with 7:14 to play before Ohio State (1-1) drove for what could have been a clinching field goal.

Connor Hawkins, who had earlier made three field goals, missed from 45 yards, setting up Texas’ winning drive.

“When that happened, I knew it was our time,” Manning said. “I’m really proud of the way we responded. We could have let that thing go. It’s a testament to our coaches and our culture.”

The gritty win could also give Texas a claim at No. 1.

The victory is arguably the biggest regular-season win in six seasons for coach Steve Sarkisian, and certainly for Manning, who had struggled to live up to Heisman Trophy expectations early in his career.

“I couldn’t be more proud of our team with the heart, the desire and the fight,” Sarkisian said.

Manning’s legs and passing earned several first downs as the Longhorns steadily clawed back and beat the Buckeyes for the first time in three tries over the past three seasons. Manning finished with 196 yards passing and complete 11 of his final 15 passes.

“We just had to get something going, I always knew we were going to be in it in the end," Manning said. “I'm so glad we won.”

The Buckeyes lost a game they had controlled.

Julian Sayin passed for 278 yards and Jeremiah Smith caught eight passes for 164 yards and a touchdown. But the offense produced just a single field goal after halftime, and Sayin’s desperation pass on the final play was intercepted before Texas players rushed on the field to celebrate the comeback.

Ohio State: Smith was having the kind of game the Buckeyes' All-American had missed in his two previous matchups with the Longhorns. But key passes his way were covered or misfired late as the Longhorns contained him in the second half.

Texas: The Longhorns were nearly buried by early dropped passes, missed throws and turnovers in what looked like a primetime flop. Wingo's fourth-quarter touchdown catch made up for a wide open drop in a frustrating first half for the Longhorns.

Ohio State hosts Kent State on Sept. 19.

Texas hosts UTSA on Sept. 19.

Sign up for Top 25 poll alerts here, visit the Top 25 here and see AP’s full college football coverage here

Texas running back Hollywood Smothers, top center, dives for the winning touchdown against Ohio State during the first half of an NCAA college football game in Austin, Texas, Saturday, Sept. 12, 2026. (AP Photo/Eric Gay)

Texas players celebrate their win over Ohio State in an NCAA college football game in Austin, Texas, Saturday, Sept. 12, 2026. (AP Photo/Eric Gay)