SA Rugby have written an apology to New Zealand Rugby over the sequence of events that led to the haka being obscured before the Test at Ellis Park.
The closing moments of the haka before the clash between the Springboks and All Blacks were overlaid by music and fireworks – as well as a flyover by an A380 airliner.
SA Rugby confirmed on Monday that pre-planned scheduling failed to be observed and that a formal apology has been made to NZ Rugby.
“I apologised in person and have written to the NZRFU to formally express our regret and apologies for what occurred,” said SA Rugby chief executive Rian Oberholzer.
“It was never the intention to schedule any activities that would coincide with such an iconic moment of any Test match against the All Blacks. That it occurred was a result of timekeeping challenges and simple human error.
“In the confusion, the crowd’s excited cheering was mistaken to have marked the conclusion of the Haka by an unsighted sound engineer who restarted the music programme. It was highly regrettable but in no way deliberate.”
Oberholzer said that SA Rugby was distressed by the breach of protocol and the apparent display of lack of respect it may have suggested.
“We hold dear the values and traditions of the game,” said Oberholzer. “The unfortunate events in no way represent any lack of respect that South African rugby holds for the significance and history of the haka. We will ensure such errors cannot be repeated.”
The second Test between the teams in the Rugby Championship will be played at Cape Town Stadium on Saturday.
Photo: Dirk Kotze/Gallo Images/Getty Images
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Src: sarugbymag.co.za
