News24 | Springbok fan drives green VW Golf Chico to Baltimore and wins the internet

The iconic VW Citi Golf Chico made its way to Baltimore, sporting KwaZulu-Natal plates and all, capturing the hearts of many South African supporters both at the stadium and online.

Ali Farzard/Facebook

• A Springbok fan living in the US took to social media to share how he used his VW Citi Golf Chico with KZN number plates to drive to the Springboks-All Blacks game in Baltimore.
• Supporters online were pleasantly surprised to see the iconic South African car roaming the streets of Baltimore.
• The car was parked outside the M&T Bank Stadium, capturing the moment for both attending matchgoers and Springbok fans online as the Boks won the Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry series 3-1.

A Springbok rugby fan living in the US has given his fellow South African neighbours a nostalgic and heartwarming sight, reminding them of home at this weekend's classic encounter with the All Blacks in Baltimore.

In the lead-up to Saturday’s final rugby fixture between South Africa and New Zealand, Springbok supporter Ali Farzad took to social media and shared a picture in the Springbok Fans in the USA Facebook group, which has since become an iconic embodiment of the vibes South African supporters brought to “Balti-moer”.

The picture was of his green VW Citi Golf Chico parked on standby for the Springboks-All Blacks clash in the 2026 Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry series.

In excitement, Farzard captioned the photo: “Can’t wait, we are driving our Springboks VW CiTi Golf to the Tailgating and game !! Go Springboks.”

The iconic model – which every South African will recognise – was still Mzansi-coded in all its splendour, bearing both South African and US number plates and emblazoned with a large Springboks logo, as though it were roaming the streets of Durban on its way to the Kings Park Stadium.

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After seeing the post, one Facebook user, Lorrain Anthon, commented: “KZN plates!!! DBN fav ride.”

Members of the Facebook group reacted with surprise upon seeing arguably South Africa’s most recognisable car miles away from home.

Curious about how the iconic car made its way to Baltimore in time for the game, Facebook user Stieler van Eeden commented and asked Farzad about the car’s back story and his connection to South Africa and the Springboks, to which Farzad responded:

“We have ×5 citi golfs here, different colors etc. [You] can see them on IG @rzrrides and we also do cultural events highlighting South African culture, food, cars [and] this car was the right energy for the game and to represent for the Springboks.”

Since his original post, pictures of the car have gone viral on social media after others spotted it out and about, receiving thousands of likes and hundreds of comments.

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After spotting the car near the stadium, Facebook user Marius Ferreira shared with the group a picture and caption punctuated by a trio of laughing emojis, a beer and a thumbs-up: “This driver made it all the way.”

Facebook user Landon MacLeod shared how he happened to drive behind the car in a convoy to the stadium: “[I] was behind you entering Baltimore! legend!”

Reacting to MacLeod’s post, Maryna Classen commented:

This one takes the cake. Now that is proper SA!

And with a seal of approval, another Facebook user, Siphelele Komani, commented: “Nothing screams South African more than this.”

Julia Mahlangu, who was at Saturday’s match, said: “I hope to see this after the game.”

A belter of a rugby series, a classic South African car, and a Springboks team for the ages managed to bring a little bit of hope and home to a US city far away.

News24 has reached out to Farzard for further comment for a follow-up article.

South Africa won the Greatest Rivalry series 3-1, beating New Zealand 43-28 in the final Test.