Northern Edition

Select Edition

Northern Northern
Southern Southern
Global Global
New Zealand New Zealand
France France

All Black calls into question Bok fans behaviour and stunt during haka

South African supporters celebrate after South Africa won the Rugby Championship Test match between South Africa and New Zealand at the Ellis Park Stadium in Johannesburg on August 31, 2024. (Photo by PHILL MAGAKOE / AFP) (Photo by PHILL MAGAKOE/AFP via Getty Images)

All Black flyhalf Damian McKenzie said he disagrees with the Ellis Park crowd’s behaviour during their performance of the traditional pre-match haka and the decision to do an aeroplane flyover simultaneously.

ADVERTISEMENT

McKenzie was also loudly booed every time he lined up a kick at goal.

Replacements Kwagga Smith and Grant Williams scored late tries as South Africa came back from a 10-point (17-27) deficit, to record a dramatic victory over New Zealand in a Rugby Championship thriller in Johannesburg on Saturday.

The result put the Boks in a prime position in the tournament, if first place – eight points clear of the All Blacks.

Video Spacer

All Black flyhalf Damian McKenzie speaks about the ‘disrespectful’ behaviour of the crowd during the haka and the untimely flyover

Video Player is loading.
Current Time 0:00
Duration 0:00
Loaded: 0%
Stream Type LIVE
Remaining Time 0:00
 
1x
    • Chapters
    • descriptions off, selected
    • captions off, selected
      Video Spacer

      All Black flyhalf Damian McKenzie speaks about the ‘disrespectful’ behaviour of the crowd during the haka and the untimely flyover

      However, the pre-match build-up was shrouded in controversy by an aeroplane flyover during the performance of the haka.

      The home crowd’s loud chanting also ruffled a few Kiwi feathers, as it drowned out the haka.

      “It is the first time I have played here in Johannesburg,” McKenzie told a post-match media briefing.

      Rugby Championship

      P
      W
      L
      D
      PF
      PA
      PD
      BP T
      BP-7
      BP
      Total
      1
      South Africa
      3
      3
      0
      0
      14
      2
      New Zealand
      3
      1
      2
      0
      6
      3
      Argentina
      3
      1
      2
      0
      5
      4
      Australia
      3
      1
      2
      0
      4

      “I was told it was [going to be] pretty loud.

      ADVERTISEMENT

      “You can understand the roars of the crowd, and the music is a little … yeah.

      “I probably don’t agree with it as much.”

      He said he wasn’t sure if the timing of the flyover was meant to occur at the same time as the haka’s performance.

      “It is an opportunity for us to connect with our [people] back home and our ancestors,” he said of the reason for the traditional pre-match war cry.

      “We knew the noise was going to be there, but it is out of my control.”

      The 29-year-old No.10 described the mood in the All Black camp as “pretty disappointing” after a match they could so easily have won.

      ADVERTISEMENT

      “Late in the [second] half we put ourselves under pressure with our [lack of] discipline,” he said about the late Bok rally – the hosts coming from 10 points down in the wake of an Ofa Tu’ungafasi yellow card.

      With the All Blacks struggling late in games – having gone scoreless in the last quarter four games on successions – McKenzie said accuracy is the key to breaking that late-maTCH drought.

      “It’s those 50-50 ones [calls] you want to have a crack, but shouldn’t,” he told a post-match media scrums.

      “It’s about pushing the boundaries too far.

      “Against this South African team, they have great kickers that put the ball in the corner and their set pieces were good.”

      With the Freedom Cup – in All Black hands since 2010 – up for grabs, McKenzie said they know what is required of them in Cape Town next Saturday.

      “For the majority of the game we were in control and then we just took our foot off the pedal a bit,” the No.10 added.

      “We know what is on the line next weekend.”

      ADVERTISEMENT

      Boks Office | Episode 39 | The Investec Champions Cup is back

      Argentina v France | HSBC SVNS Hong Kong 2025 | Men's Match Highlights

      New Zealand v Australia | HSBC SVNS Hong Kong 2025 | Women's Match Highlights

      Tokyo Sungoliath vs Shizuoka BlueRevs | Japan Rugby League One 2024/25 | Full Match Replay

      Reds vs Force | Super Rugby W 2025 | Full Match Replay

      The Rise of Kenya | The Report

      New Zealand in Hong Kong | Brady Rush | Sevens Wonders | Episode 4

      The Fixture: How This Rugby Rivalry Has Lasted 59 Years

      Trending on RugbyPass

      Comments

      44 Comments
      P
      Pixie 216 days ago

      Ah hahaha here we go again! Pure entitlement attitude again here... Welcome to an away test match at the home of the world champions my friend! How is the crowd responding with chants any different to a bunch of okes waving their arms, pulling their tongues out, and giving throat slicing gestures? They just getting the response they are provoking anyway!


      Have they apologised for injuring Siya? Have they apologised for all the entitlement comments about luck and the referee after the world cup final? Have they apologised for kicking SA teams out of Super Rugby? Next week in fact Cape Town crowd should chant back even louder and the SAAF should bring a few Gripen fighter jets over during the haka to raise the noise levels even higher!


      Looking forward to another cracker on Saturday.

      M
      MattJH 216 days ago

      They trot out this boring ass topic every season.

      RESPOND HOW EVER YOU WANT ITS ALL GOOD.

      If any NZer moans tell them to harden up or save the haka for home tests.

      And the DJ at Ellis park was probably just some poor rave head who’d just smashed back a line of blow and forgot what he was doing. Honest mistake.

      C
      ClintP 216 days ago

      All Blacks fan here… the Haka is a challenge and should be met anyway the opposition ( and their crowd) see it… within reason obviously. Just a shame for the people who would have liked to have heard it.

      D
      DP 216 days ago

      I don’t think we will see the same happening in CT this weekend, it was a massive occasion following the WC final so the crowd was pumped IMO. Bok players love facing it and give it the respect they feel it deserves, can’t ask for more than that! heres hoping for less refereeing howlers.

      D
      DG 216 days ago

      Perfect example of Kiwi entitlement. 90% of that crowd don't know anything about your haka or even care about it or about you connecting with your ancestors. They are there to watch rugby. Get over yourselves.


      Airplane and music was a timing thing.

      Q
      QDOS 216 days ago

      Harsh but fair!

      Q
      QDOS 216 days ago

      Haka well overdone and too precious for words, NZ always whining about respect and need to get over themselves.

      The throat slitting gesture in one of the Haka variants is offensive and should be dropped.


      Rgds Kiwi Realist

      P
      PK 216 days ago

      I can see both sides of it. The Haka is definitely part of the heritage of this rivalry, and should be respected. That said I think it should be only done on NZ territory. The crowd at Ellis Park has always been fanatical. But overall they are paying admission, and should have some fun

      i
      ig 216 days ago

      Agree that the haka should be simple and inoffensive. Not sure why our eighthcastes want to connect with an eighth of their ancestors: where does that leave the Pakeha and the Islanders?

      h
      hoots1956@gmail.com 216 days ago

      Mckenzie just another losing winja if you can't handle your stupid fukn haka getting drowned out then do it in the changing room you don't do it for the people back home it's always been an intimidating tactic glad you fuckn lost and hope you lose the next one

      C
      Chiefs Mana 216 days ago

      You'd be fun at parties

      J
      JK 217 days ago

      I like the haka. I am not sure it's as intimidating as it's made out to be it...


      Bok fans range from classy to rude just like any other group of fans...


      DMac is a good player but needs to toughen up a bit I think...


      If Siya is out, who starts at 6?

      j
      jb 217 days ago

      This was really bad from SA. The planes have gone over the statium for years without any issues. This year it was done on purpose. Even the DJ started playing music before the haka was done. This is done in bad spirit. And if you can't see it is wrong then you are a part of the problem and there is no point in talking about it to you.

      We should do better. I can see now why SA supporters are some of most arrogant and least like supporters out there. And yes, I am a Springbok supporter and have been my entire life. But how we are conducting our selfs at the moment is not good.

      B
      Bull Shark 217 days ago

      Speak for yourself. Dont pretend to speak for all SA supporters. That’s arrogance personified.

      B
      BP 217 days ago

      South African rugby is a disrespectful scandal

      B
      Bull Shark 217 days ago

      Burner account alert.

      T
      Terence T 217 days ago

      #Saru and the Sport Minister need to start a drive to #educate these, low class, so-called fans.


      The disrespect, arrogance and entitlement is simply next level.


      What they don't realize, is that they don't have any regard for values and traditions, for visiting teams and travelling supporters.


      They are an embarrassment, to themselves, and SA, but somehow, they don't know it.


      Educational campaigns will probably not be that effective, because #education is not for everyone.

      I've seen a pic of a disrespectful and hateful poster in the hands of a 7/8 year old, white child.


      Where does he learn that?

      Who is teaching him to hate other sporting codes, and ultimately people of colour?


      These people, are simply out to disrespect and abuse visiting teams and their supporters.

      Spoiling the experience of opposing supporters are all they're interested in.


      To the NZ rugby squad and visiting supporters, the majority of South Africans are good and decent people.


      We don't deserve the #haka !!


      Consider dropping the #haka when playing here.

      B
      Bull Shark 217 days ago

      F#k Sokker?


      It’s a joke. A little bit of fun and humour.

      j
      jb 217 days ago

      Was with you a 100% till you brought race into it. Guess what? You are no better than those you try to call out. Sies man.

      B
      BM 217 days ago

      You have to be old enough to remember the movie the F*k Sokker thing comes from. Got nothing to do with race.

      N
      Ninjin 217 days ago

      Were you hatched from an egg?

      W
      Wayneo 217 days ago

      Ou tannie met n nat broek.

      M
      MM 217 days ago

      May be its time for all blacks to do haka at home only

      M
      MattJH 216 days ago

      Either that, or accept that people around the world do not share the same cultural etiquette.

      l
      lm 217 days ago

      That would mean all the other nations as well.

      If SAF had something like the Haka all the saffy crowd would shut their bloody mouths for it and cheer the hell out after it.

      Every other nation would "respect" them. Sadly the saf fans dont eh.

      Jy moet wakker word

      B
      Bull Shark 217 days ago

      Personally, I’d like to be able to hear the haka. But I don’t think you can expect the ticket paying home crowd to comply. The main thing is that the stands are full and the people are having a good time.

      j
      jb 217 days ago

      Yes you can, it is called manners. And if you say you can't expect 1000's of fans to behave then that says all there is to say about bok supporters. If 60 000 fans can be dead silent when they take a kick at goal up north the surely these things in SA can try and behave?

      D
      DP 217 days ago

      Nothing wrong with the crowd drowning out the Haka, the plane flyover was obviously unfortunate the timing.

      j
      jb 217 days ago

      No it was not bad timing, they knew what they were doing. Even the DJ started playing music before the haka was over.

      C
      CM 217 days ago

      I very much doubt that Emirates Airlines exactly timed their flyby to deliberately spite the All Blacks. Seems like unfortunate timing.

      j
      jb 217 days ago

      Your comment is unfortunate.

      B
      BM 217 days ago

      I agree - but I'll like the crowd to more quiet - difficult to hear the haka on TV and takes away viewer experience.

      Load More Comments

      Join free and tell us what you really think!

      Sign up for free
      ADVERTISEMENT

      Latest Features

      Comments on RugbyPass

      R
      RashmiRamesh 4 hours ago
      Waratahs turn to 'tough bugger' for captaincy with more history on the line

      I was introduced to crypto by my son a few years ago, I invested in USDT and BTC using Binance, I have several accounts including personal bank accounts so I was unable to keep up with all of them and ended up forgetting my secret codes used in accessing the account, I asked my son to help me since he had introduced me Crypto, unfortunately he gave me bad news that I had lost my investment, I was so heartbroken considering I had invested my life saving of $70,700, I narrated my ordeal to one of my friends who happened to know someone who had a similar experience, so after I met him he directed to where he got help, he told me that LEE ULTIMATE HACKER who were able to help him with his recovery problem, I quickly contacted them to help me with my lost funds, I was a bit skeptical about it coz of what I had gone through the last few days, the frustration and anxiety was getting to me, after contacting LEE ULTIMATE HACKER one of their team members took me through the recovery process explaining on how it works and what was required from my end ,he informed me that it would take 12 hours for my funds to be recovered, I was so anxious but they assured me that all will be well and soon enough I will be able to have full control of my wallet, true to their word LEE ULTIMATE HACKER team were able to recover my wallet and I was able to access and change my log ins to my wallet, I was so happy and I couldn’t believe it I logged in and out of my account a few times just to be sure, for any lost crypto contact LEE ULTIMATE HACKER via LEEULTIMATEHACKER @ AOL . COM

      telegram: LEEULTIMATE

      wh@tsapp +1 (715) 314 - 9248 the solution to all your recovery problems.

      0 Go to comments
      C
      ChristelLoewe 6 hours ago
      Sean Everitt: 'People will say it’s the same old, but it’s not'

      REACH OUT TO TECH CYBER FORCE RECOVERY FOR A GREAT JOB

      WhatsApp +15617263697

      Fine wine and crypto do not always blend well, especially after a few drinks. I learned this the hard way after a record harvest at my vineyard. Swirling an old Cabernet under the stars, I was a financial connoisseur, my $720,000 Bitcoin wallet aging well for future returns. But the next morning, with a hangover as intense as my Merlion, I realized I'd forgotten my wallet password. Even worse, my recovery phrase, which I'd written down in my wine cellar notebook, had vanished. My eager new assistant had tidied up, mistaking my scribbled security notes for wine tasting spillage, and donated the entire book to the recycling gods. I dove into the garbage cans like a desperate sommelier searching for a quality grape but came up with broken dreams and soggy cardboard. Panic set in faster than cork taint. I faced the bitter truth: my digital fortune was bottled up tighter than a corked bottle with no opener. I sank into denial, questioning whether my future vineyard expansion would now be reduced to selling boxed wine. I panicked, pored over industry publications, and came across a wine industry newsletter that mentioned Tech Cyber Force Recovery. Their slogan, something playful about "decanting lost crypto," seemed like a sign from God. I contacted them, half-expecting snobbery or skepticism. What I received instead were tech wizards who tackled my case with humor and precision. Their team labored over my case like veteran sommeliers dissecting terroir. They painstakingly reconstructed transaction flows, timestamp records, and subtle wallet behavior. It was as if I was watching wine connoisseurs sniff out hints of blackcurrant and oak, but with algorithms and blockchain forensics. Each day, they provided updates with the finesse of tasting notes. “We’re detecting progress, notes of potential access, hints of password recovery on the finish.” Their creativity lightened my anxiety, and ten days later, they uncorked my digital vault. When I saw my Bitcoin balance restored, I nearly opened a bottle of my best vintage at 9 AM. My assistant and I shared a hearty laugh; he's still working for me, but now he labels my ledgers with "DO NOT TOUCH" in bold. My wine business is thriving thanks to Tech Cyber Force Recovery, and I have a new rule: passwords before Pinot. Cheers to their genius!

      0 Go to comments
      N
      Noah roman 7 hours ago
      What Newcastle 'can’t legislate for' as they face fellow basement dwellers

      BITCOIN RECOMMENDED EXPERT HIRE DIGITAL TECH GUARD RECOVERY SERVICES


      The ink doesn't wash off, but I thought my Bitcoin was gone forever. I'd stashed $130,000 worth of crypto away to turn my tattoo parlor into a fantasy parlor—black walls, neon lights, the hum of needles mixed with classic rock music. But fate is cruelly ironic.One night, having spent an eight-hour shift etching half a snake wrapped around a dagger, I came home to find the shop robbed. Cash register emptied out, machines thrown around like playthings, and the worst of all, my phone stolen. That phone had my 2FA codes, the sacred keys to my digital riches.Panic washed over me like road rash on bare flesh. Without 2FA, my Bitcoin was more secure than a welded-shut vault. I plunged into horror. Every hour out of reach was like watching a masterpiece rot in the sun.Desperate, I griped to a client at a cover-up session. He had a Bitcoin logo stitched on his sleeve, alongside a skull laughing maniacally in a Digital hat. He leaned back in the chair, grinning like an old road captain, and said, "Brother, you need Digital Tech Guard Recovery. Those guys do magic."So, taking his tip, I did call them up. From the very first phone call, they were sharper than a new needle. They were in the business—talking carrier records, blockchain synchronization, and security breaches like old truckers swapping stories of carburetor war battles and close calls.They labored fast. Five days went by before I got the call. "We got it," the technician said. My heart was revving like a helicopter engine. My Bitcoin was once more in my hands, safe and sound.The Digitals did not cease. They guided me through backups, multi-device login, and offline wallets. "One key in your pocket, another in the wind," they said. Biker street smarts meets crypto security.Now, my studio is thriving. That neon sign? It glows brighter than ever. And on my forearm? A new tattoo: a Digital hat, with flames and Bitcoin logos surrounding it. A reminder that in this world, both on the road and on the internet, it's not about not falling, it's about knowing who you can call to pick you up. Digital Tech Guard Recovery: They're by your side, even when the ride gets rocky

      WhatsApp: +1 (443) 859 - 2886   Email @ digitaltechguard.com Telegram: digitaltechguard.com   Website link: digitaltechguard.com

      0 Go to comments
      C
      ChristelLoewe 9 hours ago
      Scarlets punish ill disciplined Ospreys to keep play-off hopes alive

      REACH OUT TO TECH CYBER FORCE RECOVERY FOR A GREAT JOB

      WhatsApp +15617263697

      Fine wine and crypto do not always blend well, especially after a few drinks. I learned this the hard way after a record harvest at my vineyard. Swirling an old Cabernet under the stars, I was a financial connoisseur, my $720,000 Bitcoin wallet aging well for future returns. But the next morning, with a hangover as intense as my Merlion, I realized I'd forgotten my wallet password. Even worse, my recovery phrase, which I'd written down in my wine cellar notebook, had vanished. My eager new assistant had tidied up, mistaking my scribbled security notes for wine tasting spillage, and donated the entire book to the recycling gods. I dove into the garbage cans like a desperate sommelier searching for a quality grape but came up with broken dreams and soggy cardboard. Panic set in faster than cork taint. I faced the bitter truth: my digital fortune was bottled up tighter than a corked bottle with no opener. I sank into denial, questioning whether my future vineyard expansion would now be reduced to selling boxed wine. I panicked, pored over industry publications, and came across a wine industry newsletter that mentioned Tech Cyber Force Recovery. Their slogan, something playful about "decanting lost crypto," seemed like a sign from God. I contacted them, half-expecting snobbery or skepticism. What I received instead were tech wizards who tackled my case with humor and precision. Their team labored over my case like veteran sommeliers dissecting terroir. They painstakingly reconstructed transaction flows, timestamp records, and subtle wallet behavior. It was as if I was watching wine connoisseurs sniff out hints of blackcurrant and oak, but with algorithms and blockchain forensics. Each day, they provided updates with the finesse of tasting notes. “We’re detecting progress, notes of potential access, hints of password recovery on the finish.” Their creativity lightened my anxiety, and ten days later, they uncorked my digital vault. When I saw my Bitcoin balance restored, I nearly opened a bottle of my best vintage at 9 AM. My assistant and I shared a hearty laugh; he's still working for me, but now he labels my ledgers with "DO NOT TOUCH" in bold. My wine business is thriving thanks to Tech Cyber Force Recovery, and I have a new rule: passwords before Pinot. Cheers to their genius!

      1 Go to comments
      LONG READ
      LONG READ No definites, but which Wales players could still make Lions squad? No definites, but which Wales players could still make Lions squad?
      Search