South Africa Rugby have apologised to the听All Blacks听for any disruption caused during the side鈥檚 haka before the Rugby Championship test at Ellis Park which included an A380 flying overhead along with music and fireworks before the challenge had ended.听
In a statement, SA Rugby chief executive Rian Oberholzer said it was down to 鈥渢imekeeping challenges鈥 and 鈥渟imple human error鈥.听
鈥淚 apologised in person and have written to the NZRFU to formally express our regret and apologies for what occurred,鈥 added Oberholzer.听
鈥淚t was never the intention to schedule any activities that would coincide with such an iconic moment of any test match against the All Blacks.听
鈥淚n the confusion, the crowd鈥檚 excited cheering was mistaken to have marked the conclusion of the haka by an unsighted sound engineer who restarted the music programme.听
鈥淚t was highly regrettable but in no way deliberate.鈥听
An Emirates Airlines A380 jumbo jet flew over the ground, which had become traditional following the famous 1995 meeting between the two sides in the Rugby World Cup final. The All Blacks also began the haka with a brief karakia to make the passing of听M膩ori King T奴heitia, led by TJ Perenara.听
After听the 31-27 defeat, All Blacks first five听Damian McKenzie told RNZ听he wasn鈥檛 a fan of the plane, saying he 鈥渄idn鈥檛 agree with it all that much鈥.听
鈥淚 don鈥檛 know when the plane was supposed to fly over. It鈥檚 an opportunity for us to connect with back home... we knew the noise was going to be there but it鈥檚 out of my control,鈥 he said.听
Coach Scott Robertson added to RNZ that the haka was 鈥渁 pretty iconic tradition in our game鈥.听
鈥淓veryone has their own way of receiving it. We鈥檙e prepared for that [the response], it鈥檚 not the first time, so they try and take away our advantage they believe we have from the haka. I think it adds to the theatre of it. It鈥檚 not going to change, so just embrace it.鈥听
the podcast on iHeart Radio
Take your Radio, Podcasts and Music with you
Get the iHeart App
Get more of the radio, music and podcasts you love with the FREE iHeartRadio app. Scan the QR code to download now.
Download from the app stores
Stream unlimited music, thousands of radio stations and podcasts all in one app. iHeartRadio is easy to use and all FREE