South Africa Rugby has apologised after being dubbed "disrespectful" for letting off fireworks and blasting music while the All Blacks were performing the haka.
During the pregame formalities at the Springboks vs All Blacks test match in Johannesburg, spectators noticed the haka was cut short by multiple interruptions including a jet, loud music and a fireworks display.
Fans were quick to call out South Africa Rugby for the disrespect, with one fan pointing out that “rugby is a sport where honour is expected” claiming “the interruption was rude”.
This isn’t the first time another country has been put on blast for their treatment of our sacred tradition. In 2023 the Spanish Women’s Football Team came under fire after they ‘mocked’ the haka in a video posted on social media that went viral.
South Africa Rugby has now apologised for the incident, telling Stuff “human error” was the reason for the raucous.
The crowd’s excited cheering was mistaken to have marked the conclusion of the haka by an unsighted sound engineer who restarted the music program. It was highly regrettable but in no way deliberate
In typical Kiwi fashion, All Blacks assistant coach Steve Hansen has accepted the apology saying it was “sincere” and it didn’t distract the boys doing the haka on the field.
The Springboks won the game 31-27, but the battle is not over. The teams will be facing off again this Sunday in Cape Town where the All Blacks will need to win to continue in the Rugby Championship.
The stakes are incredibly high as All Blacks fans are eager for ‘redemption’ against the Springboks after our heartbreaking loss at the final of the 2023 Rugby World Cup. Let’s bring it home boys!
