The South African Rugby Union (SARU) has apologised to New Zealand Rugby, for drowning the closing stages of the All Blacks “Haka” with music and obscured incidents during Saturday’s Castle Lager Rugby Championship Test at Emirates Airline Park in Johannesburg.
The closing moments of the Haka were overlaid by music and fireworks, as well as a flyover by a jet, as pre-planned scheduling failed to be observed.
“I apologised in person and have written to the NZRFU to formally express our regret and apologies for what occurred.
It was never the intention to schedule any activities that would coincide with such an iconic moment of any Test match against the All Blacks.
That it occurred was a result of timekeeping challenges and simple human error.
“In the confusion, the crowd’s excited cheering was mistaken to have marked the conclusion of the Haka by an unsighted sound engineer who restarted the music programme.
It was highly regrettable but in no way deliberate,” said Rian Oberholzer, CEO of SA Rugby.
Traditionally, opposition team would remain silent and allow the All Black to perform the Haka fully, as a mark of respect.
Oberholzer said the mishap is distressing and was not meant to disrespect Australia.
“We hold dear the values and traditions of the game.
The unfortunate events in no way represent any lack of respect that South African rugby holds for the significance and history of the Haka.
We will ensure such errors cannot be repeated,” added the CEO.
The teams will clash again at the DHL Stadium in Cape Town on Saturday.
