Watch out All Blacks, here comes the Boka!

CRYING OUT: Bok coach Jake White wants to counter the adrenaline-charged haka of the All Blacks with South Africa’s own war dance, based on a warcry apparently performed by the Springboks 80 years go in 1926 before major tour matches. Picture: GALLO IMAGES FILES

White wants team’s own version of ‘haka’ based on old Zulu war dance

SOUTH AFRICA’S national rugby team, the Springboks, smarting from a weekend defeat at the hands of a rampant New Zealand side, 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 in Auckland.

“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.”

White wants his players hyped up in the same way, and believes it can be done.

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 which 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