/ 17 July 2007

White eyes ‘Zulu haka’ for the Boks

South Africa’s rugby team, smarting from a weekend defeat at the hands of New Zealand, look set to unleash their own version of the All Blacks’ famous haka, based on an old Zulu war dance.

Springbok coach Jake White, set to name his squad for the World Cup later this week, said he had asked the rugby authorities about reviving a dance that was last used more than 80 years ago in order to psyche up his players.

”The history books show that the 1926 Springboks performed a Zulu war dance in major matches on their tour,” White told the Star newspaper.

”New Zealand have come up with a new haka recently and, quite honestly, I would like to use ours as a challenge to them.”

White revealed that his team have already performed the ritual in the changing room but believes it could have a greater impact on the pitch.

”We have done this challenge before in our team room in the four years since I have been involved as coach, but it hasn’t really taken off as an idea to do it public. Not yet, anyway,” said the coach.

”I have heard old All Blacks sit in the grandstand and pick up the whole mood of the team just from the haka the players perform.”

The haka, which is based on a Maori warrior challenge to an enemy, has long been part of New Zealand’s pre-match routine. Different versions have been used over the years, including one featuring a throat-slitting gesture that has been criticised for being overly aggressive.

The Springboks, winners of the tournament in 1995, are one of the favourites for the World Cup in France, which begins in September, despite losing 33-6 at Christchurch on Saturday with a second-string team. — Sapa-AFP