Why the All Blacks prayed before the Haka and wore armbands against the Springboks
All Blacks haka and prayer at Ellis Park before South Africa v New Zealand.
The All Blacks notably donned armbands and prayed before performing the Haka against the Springboks at Ellis Park on Saturday.
Scott Robertson’s charges did this in order to pay tribute to the Māori King, Tūheitia Pōtatau Te Wherowhero VII who died on Friday at the age of 69.
Special haka and prayer
“The death of King Tuheitia is a moment of great sadness for followers of Te Kiingitanga, Maaoridom and the entire nation,” spokesperson Rahui Papa said in a statement on Friday.
The king passed away in hospital after recovering from heart surgery just days after celebrating the 18th anniversary of his coronation.
It is understood that he had experienced poor health including cancer and diabetes in recent years.
The All Blacks decided to pay tribute to the king ahead of the clash against their fiercest foe, South Africa, with New Zealand Rugby releasing the following statement before the game: “The All Blacks will be wearing black armbands tonight to acknowledge the passing of the Māori King, Tūheitia Pōtatau Te Wherowhero VII.
“TJ Perenara will also say a prayer at the beginning of the haka to pay respect to the late King.”
The position of Māori monarch originated in 1858 during a movement known as Kiingitanga that aimed to strengthen indigenous resistance to colonialism.
The round three Rugby Championship clash marked the first time the Springboks and All Blacks clashed since the 2023 Rugby World Cup final.
Springboks v All Blacks match details
Springboks: 15 Aphelele Fassi, 14 Cheslin Kolbe, 13 Jesse Kriel, 12 Damian de Allende, 11 Kurt-Lee Arendse, 10 Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu, 9 Cobus Reinach, 8 Jasper Wiese, 7 Ben-Jason Dixon, 6 Siya Kolisi (c), 5 Ruan Nortje, 4 Pieter-Steph du Toit, 3 Frans Malherbe, 2 Bongi Mbonambi, 1 Ox Nche
Replacements: 16 Malcolm Marx, 17 Gerhard Steenekamp, 18 Vincent Koch, 19 Eben Etzebeth, 20 Elrigh Louw, 21 Kwagga Smith, 22 Grant Williams, 23 Handre Pollard
All Blacks: 15 Beauden Barrett, 14 Will Jordan, 13 Rieko Ioane, 12 Jordie Barrett, 11 Caleb Clarke, 10 Damian McKenzie, 9 TJ Perenara, 8 Ardie Savea, 7 Sam Cane, 6 Ethan Blackadder, 5 Tupou Vaa’i, 4 Scott Barrett (c), 3 Tyrel Lomax, 2 Codie Taylor, 1 Tamaiti Williams
Replacements: 16 Asafo Aumua, 17 Ofa Tu’ungafasi, 18 Fletcher Newell, 19 Sam Darry, 20 Samipeni Finau, 21 Cortez Ratima, 22 Anton Lienert-Brown, 23 Mark Tele’a
Date: Saturday, August 31
Venue: Emirates Airline Park, Johannesburg
Kick-off: 17:00 local (16:00 BST, 15:00 GMT, 03:00 NZST)
Referee: Andrew Brace (Ireland)
Assistant Referees: Matthew Carley (England), Jordan Way (Australia)
TMO: Brian MacNeice (Ireland)
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