The Auckland Pasifika Secondary Schools Choir gave two rival rugby nations goosebumps on Saturday.
Cape Town, South Africa (08 September 2025) – If there’s one thing South Africans can’t resist, it’s a choir. We’re a nation that knows the power of voices raised together.
This weekend, it was New Zealand’s turn to remind us why.
At Eden Park in Auckland on Saturday, at the Springboks’ Rugby Championship clash with the All Blacks, the Auckland Pasifika Secondary Schools Choir delivered a goosebumps-worthy performance of both national anthems. New Zealand’s and our very own Nkosi Sikelel’ iAfrika.
SA’s national anthem hadn’t been performed at Eden Park in over a decade. It was mesmerising, and our Boks sang their hearts out, standing proudly alongside the choir.
Although we may know if off-by-heart, Nkosi Sikelel’ iAfrika is one of the most complex national anthems in the world, with stanzas in five different languages – IsiXhosa, IsiZulu, Sesotho, Afrikaans and English.
The choir did it more than justice, nailing every harmony and pronunciation.
The beauty of both anthems was not lost on supporters watching from the stands and from home.
“Last night at Eden Park I was completely overwhelmed – not by the game, but by a moment that caught me completely off guard. Tears were streaming down my face as I listened. I’ve felt many emotions, but in that moment, I was caught between two worlds – my South African roots and my adopted home. There was such power, pride and beauty in the way the choir sang – so much respect for both nations and anthems. It was raw, it was emotional and it was unforgettable,” shared Isabel Botha Sparks, one of the many South Africans who now call New Zealand home.
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How Do We Keep Matric Dances Special Without Making Them So Expensive?The Auckland Pasifika Secondary Schools Choir is part of SaintzUp Performing Arts and Entertainment, a programme created to empower young people from Polynesian communities.
For their Music Director Nainz Tupa’i, arranging the South African national anthem (his favourite) was a dream come true, shares SaintzUp.
Saturday’s clash may have been fierce on the field, but this moment before kick-off reminded everyone why rugby between South Africa and New Zealand – two of the world’s greatest ‘rugby rivals’ – has always been about more than results.
The respect between the players and the absolute honour shared in moments like this one showed that sport is a vessel for unity. It’s only apt to quote this line:
“Sounds the call to come together, and united we shall stand…”
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