Siya Kolisi Joins Singing Fans As Springboks Receive Special US Welcome
- The Springbok squad landed at Baltimore Washington International Airport ahead of their All Blacks clash at M&T Bank Stadium on 12 September
- South Africans in the US turned out in Springbok jerseys and SA flags to welcome the team in the early hours of Monday morning
- Captain Siya Kolisi joined the crowd as fans belted out Gwijo praise songs in a reception that quickly went viral on social media
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The Springboks received an emotional welcome on American soil after touching down in Baltimore, Maryland, where they will face the All Blacks in the fourth and final match of the Greatest Rivalry series this weekend.
Fans wearing green and gold jerseys and waving South African flags were waiting at Baltimore Washington International Airport in the early hours of Monday morning. Footage shared on social media showed the players and team staff being greeted with singing and cheering as they made their way through the arrivals hall.
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Siya Kolisi joins the Gwijo celebration
Among the moments captured on video was Springbok captain Siya Kolisi stepping in alongside the crowd as they sang Gwijo praise songs. The scenes drew widespread attention online, reflecting the enthusiasm of the South African diaspora in the United States.
According to 2023 US Census data, approximately 85,000 South Africans live in the country, with around 2,000 residing in the state of Maryland specifically. That number is expected to grow following recent changes to US resettlement policy affecting South African nationals.
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First SA vs New Zealand Test on US Soil
Saturday's fixture, scheduled for 11 pm South Africa time, will be historically significant as the first time South Africa and New Zealand have met on American soil. The match takes place at M&T Bank Stadium, an NFL venue with a capacity of 70,000, making it comparable in scale to FNB Stadium in Johannesburg.
South Africa has played in the United States only twice this millennium before this weekend's encounter. Baltimore is also positioning itself as a candidate host city for the 2031 Rugby World Cup, which is set to be staged in the United States.
Source: Briefly News
