Springbok prop Ox Nche during a press conference Springbok prop Ox Nche had an interesting take on why the Ellis Park reacted they way they did to the haka on August 31. Photo: Michael Sherman/IOL Sport
Springbok prop Ox Nche has weighed in on the topic of South African fans singing Ole Ole during the haka.
The crowd at Ellis Park on August 31 sang Ole Ole throughout the haka performed by New Zealand ahead of their Rugby Championship clash, and this IOL Sport reporter wrote that it was a disgrace how they behaved.
South African fans either reacted angrily at the suggestion that they were out of order, or agreed that the haka should be respected.
Nche, however, suggested that the fans may not have known better.
“I know South Africans can be very emotional and when they love something they love it with their entire being,” Nche said in an interview with IOL.
“For me, I’ve been an ABs [All Blacks] fan for so long. I actually understand what it means for the All Blacks to perform a haka. I know the significance of it. For me, it was them maybe not understanding the New Zealand tradition. Or why people actually do a haka. But they still show pride for their country and they don’t even hear people sing.”
The haka is part of Maori culture, and is a challenge for the opposition which they duly accept. The fact that it was not the first time that the Ellis Park crowd had reacted to the haka by drowning it out by singing Ole Ole, made it all the more noticeable.
Nche, meanwhile, saw the situation as a chance to give his best.
“I thought if this is the pride they’re showing, I have to show my pride when I get on the field for the country.”
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