New Zealand vs South Africa: Understanding the Haka Dance Ahead of 2023 Rugby World Cup Final

• New Zealand's Haka is one of the most notable traditions in rugby
• The All Blacks often perform the dance before their rugby matches
• They will face South Africa in the 2023 Rugby World Cup final in France

When Sam Cane leads New Zealand out on Saturday for the 2023 Rugby World Cup final, fans will be expecting the Haka, as it has become the custom before the All Blacks play.

What started as a war chant to celebrate a near escape from death in the 19th century has turned out to be one of the most engrained traditions in sports history.

By definition, the Haka is a series of vigorous dances, often ceremonial, performed by a group of people.

The 2023 Women's World Cup held in Australia and New Zealand had at least two people performing the dance at the start of every game.

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Te Rauparaha, a warrior chief of the Maori tribe of Ngati Toa in New Zealand, started the Haka dance. The national rugby team, All Blacks, then advanced it by using it as a pre-match ritual.

Depending on your divide, it has always been seen as a way of intimidating opponents before a game. The dance involves staring down an opponent as they release occasional war chants with their eyes wide open.

The team started using the chant in home matches in 1986. Prior to that, since its inception, it had only been used when they played in overseas countries.

The All Blacks use a special version of the dance known as Kapa O Pango or Ka Mate, which they perform before most of their matches.

Ordinarily, the captain leads the team in the dance, but the side has shaken up things recently with any player stepping up to lead the chant.

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Kapa O Pango lyrics

Here is the translated Kapa O Pango version they sang before beating Ireland to qualify for the semis (by Blogger At Large):

"Let me go back to my first gasp of breath

It is New Zealand that thunders now

And it is my time!

It is my moment!

The passion ignites!

This defines us as the All Blacks."

"And it is my time!

It is my moment!

The anticipation explodes!

Feel the power

Our dominance rises

Our supremacy emerges

To be placed on high

Silver fern!

All Blacks!

All Blacks!"

New Zealand has won the Rugby World Cup title on three occasions (1987, 2011, 2015) - the same number of overall victories as defending champions South Africa (1995, 2007, 2019).

South Africa and France make history

Sports Brief also reported on South Africa and France making history in their quarter-final clash.

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The two powerhouse nations scored three tries each in the first half of their RWC last 8 encounter.

Baille and Mauvaka scored for France, while Arendse, De Allende, and Kolbe were the Boks' scorers.