“Will Never Look the Same”: SA Woman in Baltimore Pays Tribute After Springbok Fans Leave City

• A South African living in Baltimore shared an emotional tribute after Springbok fans took over the city with green and gold for several days
• Maud Shields said the fans turned Baltimore upside down, with restaurants and liquor stores running out of stock within days of their arrival
• Her video captured how deeply their presence affected locals, prompting a wave of responses from South Africans and Baltimore residents alike

A South African woman living in Baltimore posted a heartfelt tribute on 14 September 2026 after thousands of Springbok supporters left the city, taking their noise, colour and energy with them.

Maud Shields, who has lived in Baltimore for several years, filmed a night-time walk along the city's Inner Harbour promenade and nearby streets. The footage, quiet and still, was her way of showing what the city felt like once the South African visitors had gone.

"Baltimore will never look the same to me again. In less than a week, South Africans came here and painted Baltimore green and gold."

Read also

Durban skies turn pitch black as powerful storm leaves Mzansi stunned

See how Baltimore became a sea of green and gold.

For a few days, the city was unrecognisable. Restaurants ran out of food, while liquor stores emptied their shelves of beer and brandy.

Green and gold filled every corner, along with singing, dancing, laughter and what Shields described as pure South African gees.

Shields said she had always felt a jolt of excitement at spotting a single South African flag or hearing a familiar accent.

That weekend, the feeling was everywhere at once, and it was overwhelming in the best possible way. She said:

"For a few days, I didn't have to look for a little piece of home. Home was everywhere."

She did not expect the silence that followed. Even with the Baltimore Ravens' kickoff happening around the same time, the city felt hollow by comparison.

View the Facebook video below:

What struck Shields most was how strangers from different provinces, cities and backgrounds came together without hesitation.

Read also

"We are not safe": Mrs Bullock's emotional rant on being a woman in SA goes viral

"We came from different cities, provinces and backgrounds. Many of us had never met, but none of that mattered," she said.

The Springbok supporters created a shared sense of home for South Africans who had travelled to Baltimore, while locals also experienced the energy surrounding the visitors.

She ended her tribute with a simple send-off:

"Baltimore, meet South Africa. South Africa, meet Baltimore."

Watch Maud Shields' tribute to the Springbok fans who lit up Baltimore

Viewers react to the post

The video on the page drew some emotional comments:

Letta's Journey wrote:

"South Africans single-handedly gave Baltimore some of the best public relations it's ever had to a global audience."

Nohline Sharp L'Ecuyer said:

"We thought Baltimore was wonderful. Nothing as we expected."

Tersia Leggott added:

"South Africans have something special that can't be explained."

Wayne Andrews II wrote:

"I'm reading these messages from South Africa. Makes me feel proud of who we are."

Beryl Fernandes Shelton joked:

"Apparently Baltimore is now known as Baltimorefontein."

Read also

"May justice prevail": Runner pays tribute to Kempton Park runner Tsontso and 4 other victims

Pitolua Aiono noted:

"Not just Boks fans. There were also AB fans, a huge international group of visitors who contributed to the vibe!"

More Briefly News stories on Baltimore

• A South African fan hosted a braai for Springbok supporters in Baltimore and received a signed cap from the players in a heartwarming viral clip.
• South African fans in Baltimore celebrated the Springboks’ victory with a powerful rendition of 'Shosholoza' at the venue.
• Hundreds of Northwood School students in Durban North rallied behind the Springboks with a viral war cry before their 43-28 win over the All Blacks in Baltimore.

Source: Briefly News