South Africa v New Zealand: Where to Watch the Fourth Test in Munich

Find out where to watch the South Africa vs New Zealand rugby test in Munich. Get kick-off times, Sky Sports details and tips for planning your pub night.

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On Saturday, 12 September 2026, South Africa and New Zealand meet in Baltimore for the fourth and final Test of their current rugby series. The two iconic teams are finishing their tour far away from home soil.

Finding a loud place to watch a late match can be tricky. You want a great pint, a packed room and massive screens. That is exactly what a proper pub night should deliver. We have seen thousands of rugby matches at the pub over the years.

The room matters just as much as the game on the television. It is always better when people just join in and have fun together.

Why is this match so important for both teams?

This fixture is not just a friendly run-around for the players. The Baltimore Sun describes the match as the finale of a series billed as “Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry”. South Africa takes a 2 to 1 series lead into the fourth Test after claiming tight victories in Cape Town and Johannesburg.

A South African win or a draw would secure the series for the Springboks. New Zealand must win the final game to level the contest.

The location of the match adds a completely different flavour. Instead of playing in a familiar southern hemisphere stadium, the teams travelled to M&T Bank Stadium in Baltimore, United States. The Independent links the Baltimore fixture to a major push to grow the sport in America. This effort comes ahead of the men’s and women’s Rugby World Cups scheduled for the country in 2031 and 2033.

Money clearly plays a huge role in the venue choice. The Independent reports that the two unions could receive more than £5 million extra from staging the fixture in the United States compared with holding it in South Africa. One report says the stadium has a capacity of approximately 70,000. That capacity represents a massive jump in potential ticket sales for the sport.

The same report noted that ticket prices were expected to average around $200. Fans are clearly willing to pay a premium to see top-tier international rugby. The Baltimore Sun reported that the event could set a North American attendance record for a single rugby match. The combination of a massive American football stadium and a huge crowd gives the sport a massive stage.

For people living in or visiting Munich, this creates a brilliant excuse for a late night out. Finding a pub atmosphere for major sports fixtures makes the whole viewing experience much better. You get to stand shoulder to shoulder with locals, students, expats and international residents. The best nights happen when a mixed crowd gets behind the teams and the banter starts flowing.

When does the match kick off and who is playing?

Figuring out the exact start time is the first hurdle for fans. The game crosses several major time zones across the globe. RugbyLAD lists the kick-off as 10pm Irish and UK time. The match begins at 11pm in South Africa and 9am on Sunday morning in New Zealand.

To make things slightly more confusing, local start times in America vary. Reports from the United States give the Baltimore start as approximately 5pm Eastern Time. Another event guide lists 5:10pm Eastern Time. You should always double-check the local Munich time against the Irish and UK start before you leave the house.

RugbyLAD published the named starting line-ups for both teams. Siya Kolisi will captain the South African side for this crucial clash. Codie Taylor takes on the captaincy duties for New Zealand. Both squads feature some massive names and interesting changes.

The Independent reports that South African winger Cheslin Kolbe was ruled out after fracturing his jaw in the previous weekend’s match. Damian Willemse returns at full-back to bolster the South African attack. Morne van den Berg is selected at scrum-half ahead of Cobus Reinach. These changes could alter how the Springboks attack.

New Zealand is bringing back some heavy artillery of its own. The team includes Richie Mo’unga at fly-half for his first international appearance since the 2023 Rugby World Cup final, according to The Independent. The report also says Ardie Savea, Luke Jacobson and Fabian Holland were unavailable. Ethan de Groot and Sam Darry had progressed through head-injury return-to-play protocols to make the squad.

How do you find the right pub in Munich?

Getting the right broadcast feed is critical for venues. The match will be broadcast live on Sky Sports in Ireland and the United Kingdom. SuperSport is listed for South Africa, while Sky Sport is the broadcaster for viewers in New Zealand. Finding an Irish pub in Munich where drinks, people and atmosphere matter more than dining is usually easy. However, finding one that shows the specific Sky Sports feed late at night requires some planning.

Do not assume that every venue with a television will show the game. A late kick-off means you need to be smart about your choices. Contact your preferred pub ahead of time and ask three simple questions. Do you receive Sky Sports? Will you show South Africa against New Zealand on the main screen? Will the venue remain open for the full match and accept walk-ins?

The 10pm Irish and UK start means a very late finish for viewers in Germany. Some venues might switch off screens or close early if they do not have a dedicated rugby crowd. A simple message to contact The Shamrock Irish Pub in Munich can save you a wasted journey. Getting advance confirmation guarantees your night will go smoothly.

If you have a large group, advance planning is even more important. Getting a good table near the big screen is half the battle. If a pub takes bookings, use them immediately. Once your seats are sorted, you can focus entirely on the game.

In our experience, late-night rugby matches bring out the most dedicated fans. The atmosphere is totally different from a quiet afternoon game. People stick around, the drinks keep pouring, and the cheers get significantly louder.

We love seeing a room full of people from different countries united by a great game. A good pub provides the perfect setting so you can just enjoy your pint.

You do not need to dress up or pretend to be a rugby expert. The best nights are unpolished, loud and incredibly cheeky. Just grab a stool, watch the heavy tackles, and join the lively conversation. Our team always appreciates a crowd that knows how to have a laugh without taking things too seriously.

Planning your sports night in Schwabing

Munich is a brilliant city for sports fans, and the Schwabing district is perfect for a relaxed evening. Finding a social night out in Schwabing that does not feel formal, exclusive or club-like is sometimes a challenge. You might wander around Giselastraße or Münchner Freiheit looking for a spot that just feels right. An Irish pub is usually the smartest choice for a casual night.

When you are planning a trip to Munich, you want venues where locals, expats and visitors can mix easily. You do not need an elaborate plan or a fancy wardrobe. Just turning up to watch the South Africa versus New Zealand match is a great start. The tension of a 2 to 1 series makes it incredibly easy to strike up a conversation with the person standing next to you.

After the final whistle, the night does not have to end immediately. Schwabing has a deep history of late-night fun and great pub culture. Our team loves seeing the transition from a tense sports crowd to a lively, noisy pub party. If you are looking for a local’s night out in Schwabing, where to start and end with a pint, watching a major rugby test is the perfect anchor for your evening.

Many fans use a big match as an excuse to make a full weekend out of it. You might drop in for a quiet pint during the week and return for the noise of the weekend. We host a recurring bilingual pub quiz designed so German and English-speaking teams can take part together. It is a great way to warm up your competitive spirit before the big rugby matches on Saturday.

What should rugby fans watch out for next?

Once this series wraps up, the international rugby calendar will keep rolling forward. The financial and attendance results from the Baltimore match will be very interesting to follow. We will see if the massive crowds translate into long-term growth before the upcoming World Cups. If this event works, we might see more heavyweight clashes taking place in unexpected American cities.

In Munich, the pub scene never really stops for long. When the rugby finishes, you can always stick around for the next round of drinks. Finding something to do on a weekend does not require a massive nightlife plan. Often, the best nights start with a match and end with a proper Irish night in Munich filled with loud music and good company.

If you want more sports, there is always another major fixture around the corner. Fans frequently ask us for recommendations on the best pubs in Munich to watch the Six Nations rugby when the tournament rolls around. The atmosphere during the Six Nations is absolutely legendary in an Irish pub. You can also catch massive midweek football matches if you prefer the round ball.

Whether you are a die-hard fan or just want a reason to socialize, pub sports nights are unbeatable. Keep an eye on local venue schedules for upcoming Champions League nights and other major tournaments. The pints will be waiting, and the crowd is always ready to cheer.

How Shamrock helps

Once the rugby match concludes, the evening shifts from watching the screens to taking part in the fun. When finding an Irish pub in Munich where drinks, people and atmosphere matter more than dining, Shamrock provides regular late-night karaoke built around participation, a supportive crowd and the fun of singing with a full pub behind you.

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Sources

  1. South Africa v New Zealand: Where to watch, TV channel, Kick-off ...
  2. Is South Africa v New Zealand on TV? Channel, kick-off time and how to watch
  3. Springboks wary of new-look All Blacks in Baltimore test
  4. Springboks-All Blacks rugby match in Baltimore to set North American crowd record
  5. Springboks, All Blacks clash in groundbreaking US decider

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