Theres nothing quite like the arrogance and bravado of a misguided Springboks fan. They also tend to gather in numbers, and there was no greater example of that than during the haka performed by the All Blacks ahead of the Rugby Championship clash against the Springboks at Ellis Park last weekend.
Its not the first time its happened either, but it was still just as shameful as the Ellis Park crowd sang Ole Ole while New Zealand performed their sacred Maori war cry.
It didnt help either that the stadium announcer played music and an aeroplane flew overhead just as the Haka began. That can be forgiven, though, as it was down to human-error and bad timing. SA Rugby has also since apologised for the playing of music and the poor timing of the plain flying overhead.
The singing of Ole Ole by the fans, in contrast, is quite deliberate and intentionally disrespectful of Maori culture synonymous with New Zealand rugby. Bring this up with Springbok fans, and they will likely double down in defiance before the thought of an apology even enters their minds.
Sense of entitlementIt made me as a Springbok fan feel absolutely disgraced to call myself South African. We like to think as the Rainbow Nation, that wed be more sensitive to different cultures both in the country and from international visitors like the New Zealanders.
