NZ Rugby has performed a u-turn over the use of the 'Kapa o Pango' haka by South Africa's Walter Sisulu University side.
Last month, East London's WSU All Blacks channelled their namesakes with a version of New Zealand's pre-test challenge before a Varsity Shield match against the DUT Rhinos.
Despite intellectual property being imitated, an NZR spokesperson told Newshub, as long as the haka was performed with respect and understanding - as in the case with WSU - there was no issue.
But NZR have backflipped on the decision, WSU team captain Litha Nkula tells South Africa's VarsityCup.co.za.
"New Zealand Rugby asked us not to do the haka for now,' Nkula says. "They said they can maybe help us to do it in another way or form, because Kapa o Pango has deep and meaningful roots in New Zealand."
The All Blacks are guardians of Kapo o Pango, which was composed by Sir Derek Lardelli and used for the first time in 2005.
