In a UFC event that took place fortnight ago in Perth at UFC 305, South African middleweight world champion, Dricus Du Plessis, made his way towards the octagon in a manner that sport psychologists refer to as option 1-0-1. This tactic involves the psychological intimidation of the rival by demonstrating powerful body language. With a physique reminiscent of Michelangelo’s works of art, Du Plessis, remarkably without any tattoos, carried himself as someone who was exceptionally concentrated on his task and had an unshakeable belief in his physical and mental capabilities.
An elder Maori once illustrated to me, as we observed a group of young Maori men carry out their formidable war Haka, that strong enough body language could sometimes make the opponent deem the other team overwhelmingly formidable and choose to flee.
The very next day after the Springboks had beaten the Wallabies in the second Test in the same city, Du Plessis made his way to the octagon. The South African national anthem, Nkosi Sikelel’ iAfrika, was being beautifully sung as he strolled. But, intriguingly, it wasn’t Du Plessis who was at the centre of the audience’s attention.
Instead, it was his tow gigantic protectors, the Springbok double world champions, Eben Eztebeth and his captain Siya Kolisi, that drew the global spotlight. The American commentators, even those who were clueless about rugby Springboks, were enamoured by this spectacle. Their reactions were more akin to someone dealing with the spiciness of a scorching chilli pepper rather than the potential show of muscle outside the octagon. Eztebeth and Kolisi would make names for themselves as rugby players, not as actors. Still, they receive a passing grade of six on a ten-point scale for their efforts.
Just as a boxer makes the sign of the cross before entering the ring, it’s all irrelevant if you’re ill-equipped for the fight. The wise Maori elder elaborated to me: “Following your finest performance of the Haka, when your adversary dismisses your posturing and utters, ‘Sure mate, bring it on’, you had better substantiate your performance with real action.”
Like the Springboks, Du Plessis is a deserving world champion. Not just for his remarkable tenacity, but also because he dominates his territory – the octagon.
The Springboks’ battleground is Ellis Park in Johannesburg. In its silent state, it resembles a gargantuan, empty exoskeleton – the prime example of rugby temples. Come match day, waves of Springboks fans pour into this colossal structure, like lifeblood rushing through a body, populating its wings and stands with South Africans. As the cherished Springboks charge onto the hallowed turf, the gigantic arena springs to life, vocalising its unique roar.
This rugby stadium, grander than all others, seeks to unsettle any intruder ambitious enough to envision victory within its tight constraints.
On Saturday, the Springboks’ most storied enemy will emerge into the Johannesburg sunlight, prepared to test their mettle, because New Zealand’s black jersey serves as rugby’s most daunting symbol.
This jersey, so revered that it lends its name to the national team, never surrenders its silver fern emblem to a tracksuit. Such an act would stand as a violation. The psychological power this black jersey commands is so intricate that game regulations permit New Zealand to leverage this extraordinary advantage.
Much like Eztebeth and Kolisi at UFC 305, prior to initiating the game, New Zealand is permitted by the rules to intimidate their opposition. Assembling into a vast wedge formation, the team performs their Haka, the Maori challenge, effectively broadcasting their psychological intent to the Springboks.
New Zealand may well decide to provoke the world champions on their home ground and present their “throat slitter” Haka, ‘Kapa o Pango’ with its intimidating body language.
New Zealanders claim that it does not signify a throat-slashing gesture, but is rather “drawing vital energy into the heart and lungs”. Indeed!
Let me jog your memory that the 2023 World Cup of Rugby was clinched by the Springboks, edging past New Zealand by a scant single point. This Saturday, New Zealand has a chance to set what they consider a historical wrong while playing at Ellis Park. However, the recent performance by the Kiwis under the new head coach, Scott Robertson, has been as unstable as their home turf.
With two close victories over England and a surprising defeat to the Pumas, New Zealand’s performance has been perplexing. Although they managed to recover against Argentina at Eden Park a week later, it was shocking when their highly esteemed attack coach, Leon MacDonald, left the team after only four matches. Despite Robertson’s unrivalled track record in Super Rugby, he is discovering the huge transformation necessary to run a team at the international level, like his predecessors.
The Springboks are also adjusting under the influence of their New Zealand-born attack coach, Tony Brown. Their game now centres more on running rugby. Brown chose Sasha Feinburg-Mgomezulu as the initial outhalf and Aphelel Fassi as fullback for his expertise in passing while adding the rapid strikers Cheslin Kolbe and Kurt-Lee Arendse. This chosen backline creates a formidable attack.
However, there seems to be a bit of an issue with the Springboks’ attitude. The hint of bravado, their online chatter, their air of cockiness – all symptoms that could throw Springboks’ coach Rassie Erasmus’s strategic thinking out of balance.
Rugby, as with any sport, can take the mightiest down a peg or two. Just when you think you’ve figured it all out, you get hit just as hard as a Dricus Du Plessis punch, leaving humility running as freely as your blood. I’m not a betting man, but if I were, I would consider that the silent wager on the Kiwis in situations like this, might not go amiss.
Lastly, it’s worth mentioning that body language is not the key to everything.