Boks vs All Blacks: A New Respect for the Haka as Ellis Park Braces for Rugby's Greatest Rivalry

Boks vs All Blacks: A New Respect for the Haka as Ellis Park Braces for Rugby's Greatest Rivalry

JOHANNESBURG — There's something different in the air this week. It's not just the usual pre-Test electricity that crackles through Johannesburg ahead of a Springbok-All Blacks clash. No, this feels deeper, more considered. On the eve of the first of four consecutive weekends between these two titans of world rugby, the conversation has shifted from confrontation to reverence.

Rassie Erasmus, the master strategist who has never been shy of a mind game, has revealed a profound change in how his Springboks will approach the Haka when New Zealand unleash their traditional challenge at Ellis Park on Saturday. And it's all thanks to a man wearing the green and gold coaching jersey — former All Black Tony Brown.

“It’s massive. It’s a very emotional thing to have the privilege to face the Haka,” Erasmus said on Thursday. “Since Tony has described it for us, it’s actually an honour for us to face it.”

This is not the Rassie of old. This is a coach who has evolved, who has listened, and who wants his players — and the Ellis Park faithful — to experience one of sport's most iconic rituals in a completely new light.

From 'How Do We Cancel This?' to 'It's an Honour'

For years, the Springboks' relationship with the Haka has been a topic of fierce debate. Should they advance? Should they turn their backs? Should they stand their ground and stare down the challenge? Erasmus admitted that the old mindset was one of tactical neutralisation.

“In the past, we always thought, how are we going to cancel this?” he said. It's a question that has haunted South African rugby for decades. But Brown, who played 18 Tests for the All Blacks before becoming a highly-respected coach, has provided a revelation that has shifted the entire squad's perspective.

“It’s not what it does to us, it’s what it does to them,” Erasmus explained. “You can’t nullify what the Haka does to them.”

This is a crucial insight. The Haka is not a weapon aimed at the opposition; it is a source of strength, identity, and spiritual connection for the All Blacks themselves. To try and disrupt it is to fight a shadow. Instead, Erasmus wants his troops to stand tall, absorb the moment, and let the energy flow.

“You won’t see us doing funny tricks when they do the Haka,” he said. “The players are looking forward to it. It’s a very emotional, proud thing to be part of.”

This isn't weakness. This is a calculated, mature approach from a team that has won back-to-back Rugby World Cups. They know the Haka is part of the theatre, but the real battle begins after the final challenge is thrown down.

Ellis Park Crowd Urged to Embrace the Moment

Erasmus's new philosophy extends beyond his 23 players. He's also turning his attention to the 60,000-plus voices that will pack Ellis Park on Saturday afternoon. In a move that echoes his famous social media presence, the coach is appealing directly to the fans to show respect.

“I will even WhatsApp or tweet or whatever, again to the Ellis Park people [crowd] too,” Erasmus said. “If the crowd really hears it and they see the guys’ faces, it’s something.”

This is a direct reference to the incident in Cape Town in 2024 when the crowd at DHL Stadium attempted to drown out the Haka with a wall of noise. While passionate, it was seen by many as disrespectful. Erasmus wants a different atmosphere this time — one of awe and appreciation, not hostility.

“I will WhatsApp and tweet to the people at Ellis Park to respect the haka,” he reiterated. “Ever since Tony Brown told us what it means, we not just respect it but admire it a bit more.”

The imagery is powerful: 60,000 South Africans standing in silence, watching the All Blacks perform their ancestral challenge, feeling the ground shake, and then erupting as one when the Boks kick off. That, for Erasmus, is the perfect start to what promises to be a brutal Test match.

Anthem Singers Confirmed for a Night of National Pride

Before the Haka, there will be the anthems — and South Africa has chosen a voice that resonates with the heartland of the sport. It has been confirmed that the SA national anthem will be performed by Demi Lee Moore, the Worcester-born artist who shot to fame on Idols SA and won season one of Die Kontrak in 2018.

Moore has become a staple at major national events like Afrikaans Is Groot, and her powerful, emotive voice is the perfect fit for the emotional weight of "Nkosi Sikelel' iAfrika" and "Die Stem". Expect the Ellis Park crowd to sing every word back to her.

On the other side, the New Zealand anthem will be delivered by Matiu Walter, the frontman and rhythm guitarist of Six60, the record-breaking Kiwi pop-rock band. Walter has performed "God Defend New Zealand" for the All Blacks before, including a Bledisloe Cup clash at Eden Park in October 2020. He brings a rock-star edge to the occasion, setting the stage for the Haka that will follow immediately after.

It's a fascinating cultural juxtaposition: a South African country star and a New Zealand rock icon, standing side-by-side on the hallowed Ellis Park turf, before the two greatest rugby nations on earth go to war.

Matfield's Bold Claim: 'The Greatest Springbok Team Ever'

Adding to the hype, Springbok legend Victor Matfield has thrown down the gauntlet. The 49-year-old, who was part of the 2007 World Cup-winning side and formed that legendary second-row partnership with Bakkies Botha, believes this current crop of Boks is the best South Africa has ever produced.

“The Springboks always find a way to win,” Matfield said, pointing to their recent gritty 17-10 victory over Argentina in a one-off Test this month. “The Springboks did not play well, they made a lot of mistakes, but they succeeded.”

That ability to win ugly, to grind out results when not at their best, is the hallmark of champions. And it's a claim that will be put to the ultimate test over the next four weekends. This is not just a single Test; it's a series for the ages.

The schedule is brutal and magnificent: Ellis Park on Saturday, Cape Town Stadium next week, FNB Stadium in Johannesburg the week after, and then a historic trip to Baltimore in the United States to conclude the series. Four Tests, four different venues, one massive prize — the World No 1 ranking and Rugby Championship supremacy.

South Africa have won the last two editions of the Rugby Championship, while New Zealand have won nine of the 11 earlier editions. The history between these sides is unmatched: 110 Tests since their first meeting in Dunedin in 1921, with New Zealand winning 63, South Africa 43, and four draws. Between them, they have won seven of the ten Rugby World Cups ever contested.

Selection Headaches and the Road Ahead

For Saturday's opener, Erasmus has made sweeping changes from the Argentina match. Only two starters from that scrappy win retain their places: flyhalf Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu and veteran lock Eben Etzebeth. While Etzebeth was an automatic choice, Erasmus conceded it was a tough call at flyhalf, with Feinberg-Mngomezulu getting the nod over Manie Libbok and Handre Pollard.

It's a statement of intent. Feinberg-Mngomezulu represents the future, but he's being trusted with the biggest stage in world rugby. The All Blacks, meanwhile, have named their side with playmaker Damien McKenzie passed fit after an injury scare, ensuring a fascinating tactical battle between two teams that love to run the ball.

This is the first traditional full tour of South Africa by the All Blacks since 1996 — a fact that adds historical weight to every single minute of this series. For the Springboks, for SARU, and for every rugby fan in this country, this is more than just a game. It's a celebration of our sporting culture, a test of our transformation journey, and a chance to reaffirm our place at the very top of the world game.

On Saturday, when Demi Lee Moore's voice rings out across Ellis Park, when Matiu Walter leads the Kiwis in their anthem, and when the All Blacks line up for the Haka — Rassie wants us all to stand still, watch, and feel the privilege of the moment. Then, and only then, can we go crazy.

Tags: Springboks, All Blacks, Rassie Erasmus, Haka, Ellis Park, Tony Brown, Victor Matfield, Rugby Championship, Demi Lee Moore, Matiu Walter, Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu, Eben Etzebeth, South Africa rugby, New Zealand rugby

By Dante Williams, Staff Writer

This article was produced with AI-assisted research and editorial support. Reporting is based on sources cited in the article.