Erasmus urges Ellis Park crowd to stay silent during Haka ahead of Springboks-All Blacks series opener

Springboks head coach Rassie Erasmus has made a direct appeal to South African supporters to stay quiet during the All Blacks’ Haka before the first Test of the Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry series at Ellis Park in Johannesburg on Saturday.

Erasmus pointed to the atmosphere at New Zealand’s provincial tour opener against the Stormers in Cape Town as the standard he wants replicated. “I would love it if the people at Ellis Park did the same as the guys in Cape Town, where it’s quiet, where we hear the Haka 100 per cent, because I think it’s something special,” he told local media.

The request runs against a growing trend among opposition crowds to drown out the Haka with noise, a tactic that has become more common as the pre-match ritual has grown increasingly theatrical. Erasmus is clearly keen to avoid that confrontation, framing respect for the tradition as part of the occasion’s significance rather than a concession to the opposition.

New Zealand have spent more than two weeks in South Africa ahead of the four-Test series, completing their provincial programme with wins over the Stormers, Sharks and Bulls. The Haka has featured prominently throughout that build-up, with national anthems and the challenge forming a key part of each match-day ceremony.

Erasmus was candid about the weight of the series, acknowledging that South Africa’s run of dominance over New Zealand since 2018 cannot last indefinitely. “We know how good the All Blacks are. Since 2018, when they were leading the world, we’ve always wondered when they’re going to beat us again, and they will beat us again in future, but hopefully not this weekend,” he said.

He also acknowledged that some Springbok players will be facing the All Blacks for the first time on Saturday. “Some guys will face the All Blacks for the first time, and they’ve heard from their team-mates how intense it is. This is a great occasion and we’re all looking forward to it.”

Erasmus, who grew up admiring All Blacks legends such as Zinzan Brooke and Murray Mexted, was relaxed about South Africans who choose to support New Zealand. “There’s no problem with people supporting the All Blacks. Who are we to tell them they can’t? So, we’re all good.”