Rassie Erasmus' new Haka request ahead of second Test against All Blacks

Tuesday, 25 August 2026 at 13:08

byCharlie Elliott

The Springboks faithful responded positively to Rassie Erasmus’ call for silence during the haka ahead of the opening Test of the Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry tour.

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Despite the result, Erasmus appears determined to stick with the approach for the second Test. The Springboks boss wants the Cape Town crowd to once again remain silent during the haka, even though his original request ultimately failed to inspire the desired result at Ellis Park.

South Africa were beaten 33-16 in Johannesburg, but Erasmus’ stance remains unchanged: the All Blacks’ famous pre-match tradition should be given the respect — and silence — it deserves.

His request came after controversial scenes at the same venue two years earlier, when supporters sang “Olé, Olé, Olé” during the haka. Music and a low-flying Emirates plane also disrupted the occasion, leading SA Rugby to issue an apology to New Zealand Rugby.

Erasmus pointed to the reception the All Blacks received when they faced the Stormers in Cape Town earlier on their tour, using it as an example for Springboks supporters to follow.

“We all know how big this is,” Erasmus said ahead of the first Test.

“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.”

The South Africa head coach also spoke about the respect within the Springboks camp for their opponents and the importance of the four-Test series.

“We all appreciate and respect what this series means.

“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.

“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.”

With the teams now preparing for the second Test in Cape Town, the respect between the two sides remains clear away from the pitch.

After the response from supporters at Ellis Park, it is expected that the home crowd will once again give the All Blacks the opportunity to perform the haka without disruption.

LATEST RUGBY NEWS

Springboks route to 2027 Rugby World Cup final confirmed

he Springboks, who lifted the Webb Ellis Cup in 2019 and 2023, have been handed a favourable pool on paper as they target an unprecedented World Cup hat-trick.

However, Rassie Erasmus’ side could face some of rugby’s biggest nations in the knockout stages. Here, we break down the Springboks’ potential route to the 2027 Rugby World Cup final, from the pool stage through to the showpiece.

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Pool stage draw

South Africa have been placed in Pool B alongside Italy, Georgia and Romania.

It looks like a favourable draw for the reigning world champions, with Italy expected to be their biggest rival for first place. Georgia's physical approach and Romania's powerful set piece should still demand respect, but South Africa will expect to top the group.

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Round of 16

The Springboks are currently projected to face the runner-up from Pool E, which is likely to be Japan or the USA depending on how that group develops.

Either side would be viewed as a manageable opponent, although South Africa will not have forgotten their famous defeat to Japan in 2015. They should still be expected to progress comfortably.

Quarter-finals

A quarter-final against one of the leading Tier 1 nations appears most likely, with New Zealand or Australia the probable opponents. England are an outside possibility, but that would require them to finish third in their pool, making that scenario unlikely.

Pool A is expected to be won by either New Zealand or Australia. While the All Blacks look stronger on paper, Australia will benefit from home advantage. Whoever emerges will provide South Africa's first major challenge of the tournament.

Semi-finals

The most likely opponents would come from the top half of Pool E, with France, Ireland, Argentina and Scotland all potential contenders. If results go as expected, France are the team most likely to reach this stage.

Although Les Bleus have occasionally found southern hemisphere opposition difficult, their world class talent makes them one of the strongest teams in the competition and a serious obstacle.

Final

England are the most likely opponents if South Africa reach the final, although New Zealand cannot be ruled out. England, Ireland and Argentina all appear well placed to come through the opposite side of the draw.

If the All Blacks fail to win their pool, they would also only be able to face the Springboks in the final.

Predicted Springboks World Cup route:

Pool Stage: 1st
Round of 16: Japan
Quarter-final: New Zealand
Semi-final: France
Final: England

2027 World Cup Draw

Pool A

New Zealand
Australia
Chile
Hong Kong

Pool B

South Africa
Italy
Georgia
Romania

Pool C

Argentina
Fiji
Spain
Canada

Pool D

Ireland
Scotland
Uruguay
Portugal

Pool E

France
Japan
USA
Samoa

Pool F

England
Wales
Tonga
Zimbabwe

Quiz: Name these 10 retro rugby players

From jaw-dropping tries to unforgettable moments (and yes, some questionable haircuts), these players defined a golden era of the game. If their names don’t instantly come to mind, we suggest a quick trip to YouTube to jog your memory. Trust us, it’s worth it.

Ready to test your knowledge? Let’s see if you’ve still got it. Good luck!

More Quizzes:

Rugby Quiz: Can you name the past 25 Springboks captains?

How well do you know the Springboks? South Africa have had some legendary leaders over the years, with some of the game's biggest names taking on the responsibility of captaining the current world champions.

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But how many of their last 25 captains can you remember? Test your rugby knowledge and see if you can name every player to have led the Springboks in their most recent appearances.