Blab Music
Jesse Clegg, Matiu Walters and Coda Whit to Perform National Anthems Ahead of Baltimore Test
Baltimore’s M&T Bank Stadium will become the epicenter of international rugby for one night, as South Africa’s Springboks and New Zealand’s All Blacks clash in the fourth and final Test of the Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry on Saturday, September 16, 2026. The match, slated to start at 23:00 South African time, marks the first time the series has traveled to American soil and promises a crowd of more than 70,000 – the largest rugby audience ever recorded in the United States.
Just before the first whistle, three singers will lift the stadium with their voices. The South African anthem, “Nkosi Sikelel’ iAfrika,” will be rendered by Jesse Clegg, the 38‑year‑old Johannesburg native whose musical roots run deep. Clegg’s career began as a guitarist before he added piano, and he burst onto the South African scene with his debut album When I Wake Up in 2008, a record that went platinum and earned several SAMA nominations. He followed that with Life on Mars (2011), recorded in Toronto with producer David Bottrill, and Things Unseen (2016). Clegg has toured worldwide, supporting acts such as Imagine Dragons and Walk the Moon, and has worked on legacy projects, including executive producing his late father’s final album, King of Time, and serving as an ambassador for the Nelson Mandela 46664 campaign. This performance will be his first time singing the South African anthem before a Springbok match.
The New Zealand anthem, “God Defend New Zealand,” will be delivered by Matiu Walters, the frontman of the pop‑rock band SIX60. Walters co‑founded SIX60 in 2008 while studying at the University of Otago, and the group has become one of the country’s most successful acts, with hits such as “Don’t Forget Your Roots” and a historic sell‑out at Eden Park. Walters has already sung the anthem twice during this series – once at Ellis Park and once at DHL Stadium – making his Baltimore rendition the third.
The United States national anthem, “The Star‑Spangled Banner,” will be performed by Coda Whit, a contemporary pop‑R&B artist hailing from the Washington, D.C., Maryland, Virginia (DMV) region. Whit has released tracks such as “Don’t Touch” and is emerging on the national music scene.
The series is a tight contest, with the Springboks holding a 2‑1 advantage after wins in Cape Town, Johannesburg, and Durban. The final Test in Baltimore will decide whether South Africa can close out the series with a 3‑1 sweep, adding a fourth title to their record. The match will be broadcast worldwide and is part of the Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry series that began in 2023.
National anthems have long been a staple of international rugby, offering teams a moment to showcase pride and cultural identity. In 2026, the Rugby World Cup champions will use the occasion to highlight national heritage, and the selection of performers underscores the sport’s global reach and the growing role of music in sporting spectacles.
The event is a joint effort between the South African Rugby Union, the New Zealand Rugby Union, and the United States Rugby Federation. Beyond the Test itself, the venue will host pre‑match entertainment and a post‑match celebration featuring local and international musicians, a move that will boost Baltimore’s hospitality sector and inject fresh revenue into the local economy.
The anthem performances will follow a strict order: the South African anthem first, followed by New Zealand’s, and concluding with the United States’ rendition. Each singer will receive a brief introduction from match officials before taking the field.
With the series on the line and a historic audience in attendance, the final Test promises a high‑energy showdown, unforgettable national anthem moments, and a showcase of rugby’s expanding popularity in the United States.
The match is set for Saturday, September 16, 2026, at M&T Bank Stadium. Fans can expect a thrilling contest, historic musical performances, and a celebration of the sport’s global reach.
Just before the first whistle, three singers will lift the stadium with their voices. The South African anthem, “Nkosi Sikelel’ iAfrika,” will be rendered by Jesse Clegg, the 38‑year‑old Johannesburg native whose musical roots run deep. Clegg’s career began as a guitarist before he added piano, and he burst onto the South African scene with his debut album When I Wake Up in 2008, a record that went platinum and earned several SAMA nominations. He followed that with Life on Mars (2011), recorded in Toronto with producer David Bottrill, and Things Unseen (2016). Clegg has toured worldwide, supporting acts such as Imagine Dragons and Walk the Moon, and has worked on legacy projects, including executive producing his late father’s final album, King of Time, and serving as an ambassador for the Nelson Mandela 46664 campaign. This performance will be his first time singing the South African anthem before a Springbok match.
The New Zealand anthem, “God Defend New Zealand,” will be delivered by Matiu Walters, the frontman of the pop‑rock band SIX60. Walters co‑founded SIX60 in 2008 while studying at the University of Otago, and the group has become one of the country’s most successful acts, with hits such as “Don’t Forget Your Roots” and a historic sell‑out at Eden Park. Walters has already sung the anthem twice during this series – once at Ellis Park and once at DHL Stadium – making his Baltimore rendition the third.
The United States national anthem, “The Star‑Spangled Banner,” will be performed by Coda Whit, a contemporary pop‑R&B artist hailing from the Washington, D.C., Maryland, Virginia (DMV) region. Whit has released tracks such as “Don’t Touch” and is emerging on the national music scene.
The series is a tight contest, with the Springboks holding a 2‑1 advantage after wins in Cape Town, Johannesburg, and Durban. The final Test in Baltimore will decide whether South Africa can close out the series with a 3‑1 sweep, adding a fourth title to their record. The match will be broadcast worldwide and is part of the Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry series that began in 2023.
National anthems have long been a staple of international rugby, offering teams a moment to showcase pride and cultural identity. In 2026, the Rugby World Cup champions will use the occasion to highlight national heritage, and the selection of performers underscores the sport’s global reach and the growing role of music in sporting spectacles.
The event is a joint effort between the South African Rugby Union, the New Zealand Rugby Union, and the United States Rugby Federation. Beyond the Test itself, the venue will host pre‑match entertainment and a post‑match celebration featuring local and international musicians, a move that will boost Baltimore’s hospitality sector and inject fresh revenue into the local economy.
The anthem performances will follow a strict order: the South African anthem first, followed by New Zealand’s, and concluding with the United States’ rendition. Each singer will receive a brief introduction from match officials before taking the field.
With the series on the line and a historic audience in attendance, the final Test promises a high‑energy showdown, unforgettable national anthem moments, and a showcase of rugby’s expanding popularity in the United States.
The match is set for Saturday, September 16, 2026, at M&T Bank Stadium. Fans can expect a thrilling contest, historic musical performances, and a celebration of the sport’s global reach.
