Ma'a Nonu, 44, answers All Blacks' haka with solo Kapa o Pango in Durban

Ma'a Nonu, 44, performed a solo haka in response to the All Blacks' haka in Durban on 12 August 2026 before his Sharks side were beaten 54-0 by New Zealand.

Widely regarded as one of the greatest centres in rugby union history, Nonu played 104 matches for New Zealand between 2003 and 2015 and was part of the sides that won the Rugby World Cup in 2011 and 2015. He joined the Durban-based Sharks earlier this month to help develop their young players and was named on the bench after a series of injuries and Springbok call-ups. In 2016 he was appointed a Member of the New Zealand Order of Merit for services to rugby.

After New Zealand performed their usual Ka Mate haka, Nonu stepped in front of his Sharks team-mates and responded with Kapa o Pango, the All Blacks' alternative haka. Nonu spoke to the All Blacks before deciding to perform the solo haka.

Speaking to SuperSport TV, Nonu said: "On behalf of myself and my family, I thought it was the right thing to do, to answer the boys and the All Blacks," and added: "It was such a privilege and an honour, and to do the haka, showing my respect on behalf of my family to the team I love." He also said: "I got nearly 20 minutes off the bench. I tried my best. It was great to see the New Zealand boys."

All Blacks head coach Dave Rennie said: "We knew the Ma'a haka was coming," and added: "Ma'a came and saw our defence coach Tana Umaga last night and said he wanted to be respectful and queried about the right way to respond to the haka." Sharks head coach JP Pietersen praised the impact Nonu has had off the field since joining the team and revealed the veteran was "nervous" about doing a haka alone.

Nonu came off the bench with a quarter to go and landed a big hit on fly-half Ruben Love, who was two years old when Nonu made his New Zealand debut in 2003.

The 54-0 result was recorded as the All Blacks continued their tour of South Africa, and the pre-match exchange between Nonu and the visiting side attracted widespread attention.