SA Rugby blames 'human error' for Haka interruption, apologises to NZRFU

JOHANNESBURG - The South African Rugby Union (SA Rugby) has apologisd to the New Zealand Rugby Football Union (NZRFU) after the conclusion of the Haka was interrupted by music and fireworks, as well as a flyover by an A380 airliner, during the Rugby Championship match between the Springboks and the All Blacks at the Emirates Airline Park in Johannesburg on Saturday.

The All Blacks perform their traditional Maori war dance before each Test match.

SA Rugby CEO Rian Oberholzer, in a statement on Monday, blamed the chain of events on "timekeeping challenges and simple human error", saying that the excited cheering of the crowd during the Haka was mistaken for the end of the war dance by an unsighted sound engineer, who then restarted the music.

Oberholzer said that the incident was "highly regrettable but in no way deliberate", adding that he had apologised to the NZRFU in person for the protocol breach.

"I apologised in person and have written to the NZRFU to formally express our regret and apologies for what occurred," Oberholzer said.

"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.

"We hold dear the values and traditions of the game. 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 Springboks beat the All Blacks 31-27 and will play the second Test match against the visitors at DHL Stadium in Cape Town on Saturday.