Keeping quiet for the haka had nothing to do with the Springboks’ loss to the All Blacks at Ellis Park, according to Rassie Erasmus.
South African crowds have traditionally drowned out the All Blacks’ pre-match challenge with chants of “Olé, Olé, Olé”, but the first Test of the Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry series was different.
After Erasmus had asked Bok supporters to remain quiet during the haka as a sign of respect, the 60,000-strong Ellis Park crowd obliged, creating an eerie silence as the All Blacks performed it.
New Zealand went on to claim a 33-16 victory, but Erasmus dismissed any suggestion that the change in atmosphere had given the visitors a psychological advantage.
“I enjoy the haka. I mean, for me, it’s an honour being part of that,” the Bok coach said on Tuesday.
“Obviously, the haka does something to them. It’s not doing something for us. It’s just a great thing for us to be able to say, ‘Jeez, I faced this again.’
“And I think if you look at the first 30 minutes of the game, I don’t think that gives them an advantage or us a disadvantage.
“So that’s why I think staying quiet while they’re doing that is the respectful thing.”
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The Boks will now look to level the four-Test series when the teams meet again at Cape Town Stadium on Saturday. Erasmus expects the crowd to show the haka the same respect.
“I don’t think the New Zealand supporters are going to make a noise while they do the haka,” Erasmus said with a laugh. “I’m pretty sure the Capetonians will also do the same.
“It’s got nothing to do with how the game gets played. It doesn’t influence it.
“If you’re going to make a noise while they do it, it’s just stupid.”
Ellis Park was meant to intimidate the All Blacks.
Instead, Bok fans were shushing each other during the haka — and New Zealand made themselves right at home before handing South Africa a proper reality check.#FoodLoversMarket pic.twitter.com/OSSiZkyQim
— SA Rugby magazine (@SARugbymag) August 24, 2026
Photo: Lefty Shivambu/Gallo Images
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Keeping quiet for the haka had nothing to do with the Springboks’ loss to the All Blacks at Ellis Park, according to Rassie Erasmus.
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