Rassie Erasmus makes unusual request ahead of huge All Blacks opener
Rugby NewsFriday, 21 August 2026 at 15:35
Rassie Erasmus has made an unusual request to Springboks supporters ahead of Saturday’s blockbuster opening Test against the All Blacks at Ellis Park.
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The South Africa boss wants the home crowd to remain quiet during the haka, allowing New Zealand’s famous pre-match tradition to be heard around the stadium.
It comes two years after controversial scenes at the same venue, when supporters sang “Olé, Olé, Olé” during the haka, while music and a low-flying Emirates plane also disrupted the moment.
SA Rugby subsequently apologised to New Zealand Rugby for the incident.
Erasmus makes haka request
Erasmus pointed towards the reception the All Blacks received against the Stormers in Cape Town earlier on their tour as the example he wants Springboks supporters to follow.
“We all know how big this is,” Erasmus said.
“I would love it if the people at Ellis Park did the same as the guys in Cape Town, where it’s quiet, where we hear the Haka 100 per cent, because I think it’s something special.”
The Springboks boss also underlined the respect within his camp for New Zealand and the significance of the four-Test series.
“We all appreciate and respect what this series means.
“We know how good the All Blacks are. Since 2018, when they were leading the world, we’ve always wondered when they’re going to beat us again, and they will beat us again in future, but hopefully not this weekend.
“Some guys will face the All Blacks for the first time, and they’ve heard from their team-mates how intense it is. This is a great occasion and we’re all looking forward to it.”
‘There’s no problem’
Erasmus also spoke about his own admiration for New Zealand rugby growing up, revealing that All Blacks greats were among his childhood heroes.
“When I grew up, we watched the Cavalier series and the flour bomb [the third Test of the protest-hit 1981 series] … Those were the games where you knew the Murray Mexteds and Zinzan Brooke and those guys were our heroes as well.
“Danie Gerber was my hero, but also I wanted to play like Murray Mexted and also like Rob Louw.”
And Erasmus insists he has no issue with South Africans choosing to throw their support behind the visitors.
“There’s no problem with people supporting the All Blacks. Who are we to tell them they can’t? So, we’re all good.”
The Springboks and All Blacks now meet at Ellis Park on Saturday in the opening Test of their much-hyped Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry series.
Springboks WAGS
Siya Kolisi’s reported girlfriend – Rachel John
Springboks captain Siya Kolisi has been linked with Dutch-Nigerian influencer Rachel John following his separation from former wife Rachel Kolisi.
Kolisi and his former wife announced their separation in October 2024 after eight years of marriage.
Since then, the rugby superstar's personal life has continued to attract significant attention.
John has subsequently been linked romantically with the South Africa captain after the pair were spotted together on a number of occasions.
Neither Kolisi nor John has formally confirmed a relationship, meaning she is best described as his reported or rumoured partner.
Handré Pollard’s wife – Marise Pollard
Springboks fly-half Handré Pollard is married to Marise Pollard, with the couple tying the knot in 2017.
They had been together for several years before marrying, with Marise supporting Pollard throughout his rise to become one of the most recognisable rugby players in the world.
She has also built a sizeable social media following of her own and regularly shares glimpses of their family life.
Pollard has since become a two-time Rugby World Cup winner and one of the Springboks’ most important players.
Eben Etzebeth’s wife – Anlia Etzebeth
Springboks lock Eben Etzebeth married South African singer and actress Anlia van Rensburg in 2023.
The pair reportedly met in 2021 before their relationship quickly developed.
Anlia has a successful career of her own in South Africa and has appeared in television productions alongside her work as a singer.
The couple married at La Paris Estate in Franschhoek, with several of Etzebeth's Springbok teammates attending.
Cheslin Kolbe’s wife – Layla Kolbe
Springboks superstar Cheslin Kolbe is married to Layla Kolbe, with the couple having been together since the early stages of his professional rugby career.
They first met following a Stormers match at Newlands in 2013 before marrying five years later.
Layla has subsequently followed Kolbe around the world during his spells playing rugby in South Africa, France and Japan.
The couple have three children together.
Faf de Klerk’s wife – Miné de Klerk
Springboks scrum-half Faf de Klerk married Miné van Niekerk in 2022.
The pair had been together for several years before De Klerk proposed, with their wedding taking place at La Paris Estate in Franschhoek.
Miné has regularly been pictured supporting the World Cup winner during his Springboks career.
Willie le Roux’s wife – Holly le Roux
Veteran Springboks full-back Willie le Roux is married to Holly Clare Nicol.
Holly has regularly supported Le Roux throughout his international career and was among those cheering on the Springboks during their Rugby World Cup campaigns.
The couple later married and have shared a number of major moments from their life together on social media.
Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu’s reported girlfriend – Sarah Langa
Springboks star Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu has been romantically linked with South African model and influencer Sarah Langa.
Speculation surrounding the pair intensified in 2026 after social media posts appeared to show them enjoying the same Valentine's getaway in Bali.
Neither has publicly confirmed the relationship, meaning Langa remains Feinberg-Mngomezulu’s reported girlfriend.
With the young fly-half becoming one of the biggest names in South African rugby, interest in his life away from the pitch has inevitably increased.
Malcolm Marx’s wife – Kirste Marx
Springboks hooker Malcolm Marx is married to Kirste Marx.
The couple tend to keep their relationship and family life relatively private compared to some of South Africa's other high-profile rugby couples.
Kirste has nevertheless been alongside Marx throughout a career that has seen him become a two-time Rugby World Cup winner and one of the leading hookers in world rugby.
Damian de Allende’s wife – Domenica de Allende
Springboks centre Damian de Allende is married to Domenica de Allende.
The couple have built a family together while De Allende's rugby career has taken him from South Africa to Japan and Ireland.
Domenica has supported the powerful centre throughout his international career, although the couple generally keep their private life relatively low-key.
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