Rassie Erasmus says the Springboks will approach the All Blacks’ Haka differently when the two rivals meet at Ellis Park on Saturday.
Rather than attempting to neutralise or disrupt New Zealand’s famous pre-match challenge, the South African camp now regards the ritual as something to be experienced and respected.
Erasmus revealed that discussions with former All Blacks player and current Springbok attack coach Tony Brown had helped reshape the team’s thinking ahead of the opening Test.
Tony Brown changed the way the Boks see the ritual
The Springbok coach explained that Brown’s insight into the meaning of the Haka had given the South African players a different perspective.
Erasmus said the team previously wondered how it could counter the psychological impact of the ritual. That approach, however, has now been abandoned.
The focus has shifted from trying to prevent the Haka from affecting the Springboks to understanding what the performance means to the New Zealand players themselves.
No elaborate response planned this time
Erasmus made it clear that supporters should not expect the Springboks to stage a theatrical response when the All Blacks perform their Haka.
The South African players are instead expected to stand and absorb the occasion, with Erasmus describing the opportunity to face the traditional challenge as an emotional and proud moment.
That represents a notable change from the tactical discussions that have surrounded the Haka in previous encounters between the two rugby giants.
Erasmus wants Ellis Park to respect the moment
The Springbok coach has also appealed directly to the home crowd.
Rather than attempting to drown out the All Blacks with noise, Erasmus wants spectators at Ellis Park to listen to the Haka and appreciate the significance of the occasion.
He believes watching the players’ reactions while the ritual unfolds will make the experience even more powerful for those inside the stadium.
The crowd can erupt afterwards
Erasmus’ message does not mean he wants the famous Johannesburg crowd to remain subdued throughout the match.
Instead, he wants supporters to give the All Blacks their moment before unleashing the full force of the Ellis Park atmosphere once the ritual is complete.
His view is that allowing the Haka to be fully heard could ultimately make the response from South African supporters even more intense.
The rivalry remains bigger than the spectacle
Despite the emotional significance of the Haka, Erasmus stressed that the ritual cannot become a distraction from the actual Test.
Once the performance is finished, the Springboks will immediately have to turn their attention to the practical demands of the match.
Players will need to know their responsibilities at the restart, understand their roles and quickly shift from the emotional build-up into competitive mode.
Saturday’s Test provides the real challenge
The Haka will form one of the most anticipated moments before kick-off, but the outcome of the Test will ultimately be determined by what happens once the whistle goes.
For the Springboks, Erasmus’ new approach is about respecting the tradition without allowing it to dictate their mindset.
The team can acknowledge the emotion of facing the Haka while still maintaining the concentration required to execute its game plan against one of world rugby’s most formidable opponents.
A different psychological battle
The change in attitude could add another layer to an already intense rivalry.
Instead of treating the Haka as an obstacle that must be overcome, the Springboks are preparing to embrace it as part of the occasion.
That philosophy reflects Erasmus’ broader emphasis on controlling what the team can control while allowing the opposition to express its own identity.
What’s next?
The attention now turns to Ellis Park, where the Springboks and All Blacks will meet in the opening Test.
All eyes will be on how the South African players respond when the Haka begins, as well as whether the home supporters follow Erasmus’ request to let the ritual play out before turning the stadium into a wall of noise.
Once the Haka ends, however, the focus will quickly shift to the opening kick-off and the battle for control of the Test.
Summary
Rassie Erasmus says the Springboks have moved away from trying to counter the All Blacks’ Haka and now view the traditional performance as an honour to experience.
The change was influenced partly by Tony Brown, the former New Zealand international who is now part of South Africa‘s coaching staff.
Erasmus has also called on Ellis Park supporters to respect the Haka rather than attempting to drown it out, believing the atmosphere will become even more powerful once the ritual is complete.
For the Springboks, the message is clear: embrace the moment, respect the tradition and then switch immediately into Test-match mode.
