Expats praised for Springbok support: ‘Leaving SA doesn’t mean SA leaves you’

Minister of Sport Gayton McKenzie has thanked South African expats who travelled to Baltimore to support the Springboks at their Greatest Rivalry series finale over the weekend.

Rugby fans, many of whom supported the Boks, filled the 68 000 M&T Bank Stadium, setting a record for an audience for a rugby match.

GAYTON MCKENZIE THANKS DIASPORA

Days after appealing to South Africans living in the US to show up for the Springboks, Gayton McKenzie has issued a heartfelt thank you.

The Minister of Sport acknowledged the expat community who had travelled from around he country to attend the Baltimore match on Saturday, 12 September.

Gayton shared a picture of a family that had driven across multiple states to support the Boks in their match against the All Blacks.

He posted: “Leaving SA doesn’t mean SA ever leaves you. The Bok spirit was burning in this great family, who drove 2400km from Houston to a stadium that looked like a home test. Thank you to all the South Africans abroad. 

“You showed the beautiful, friendly face of the SA diaspora to the world”.

Leaving SA doesn’t mean SA ever leaves you. The Bok spirit was burning in this great family, who drove 2400km from Houston to a stadium that looked like a home test. Thank you to all the South Africans abroad. You showed the beautiful friendly face of the SA diaspora to the world pic.twitter.com/pL9IK3ddwP

— Gayton McKenzie (@GaytonMcK) September 13, 2026

Springboks captain Siya Kolisi also thanked supporters, saying in a post-match interview: “It was super special. It was crazy the amount of people who came out to support us. I want to thank every single South African here and back at home. We are so grateful. We do it for you each and every time.”

As did coach Rassie Erasmus, who added: “It was awesome to see so many South Africans here. I don’t know how they afford it or how they got here, but it’s great.”

SOUTH AFRICANS WHO LIVE IN THE US

According to statistics from a 2023 US consensus, around 85 000 South Africans live in the US.

The state of Maryland – where the Springboks will play – has an expat community of 2000.