South African and Aotearoa New Zealand artists have joined forces on a new song inspired by the cultural significance of the All Blacks-Springboks rivalry.
Victory’s Song, features Aotearoa New Zealand artist Kenzie from Welly alongside South African artists Jitsvinger, Vicky Sampson and Winston Siljeur.
The track was created through the South 2 South Cultural Corridor and explores themes of rugby, identity, sacrifice, collective strength and connection between the two countries.
Moving between te reo Māori, Afrikaaps and English, the song combines contemporary African rhythms, Hip Hop and melodic elements. Siljeur composed and produced the track, bringing the artists’ distinct musical styles together.
Kenzie’s contribution focuses on Indigenous language and themes of restoration, endurance and collective responsibility, while Jitsvinger’s Afrikaaps verse captures the atmosphere and intensity of a rugby match while reflecting on Indigenous knowledge, identity and collective strength.
Vicky Sampson Winston SiljeurKenzie from WellyJitsvinger
Sampson brings an additional layer of sporting history to the collaboration. Best known for Afrikan Dream, she performed the song at the opening and closing ceremonies of the 1996 African Cup of Nations, when South Africa won the tournament on home soil.
The creators said Victory’s Song does not seek to choose between sporting rivalry and reconciliation, instead recognising the pride and competition surrounding the All Blacks-Springboks encounter alongside the shared histories between the two countries.
South 2 South Cultural Corridor Aotearoa New Zealand lead Rachael Lowe said the song was shaped by the cultural weight surrounding the rivalry as much as the sport itself.
“Rugby between these two nations has never been just about what happens on the field,” Lowe said.
She said the song allowed the artists to bring their own languages, histories and perspectives into the same piece of music.
Victory’s Song is the first work in a larger body of projects being developed through the South 2 South Cultural Corridor, which uses artistic collaboration to explore the relationship between Aotearoa New Zealand and South Africa through rugby, music, memory and history.
Rassie Erasmus says the “hurting” Springboks are determined to respond to their bruising 33-16 defeat to the All blacks by correcting the mistakes that proved costly in Johannesburg.Erasmus said the message has been clear: last week’s result must hurt — but it must also fuel them.“One could see the hurt on everyone’s faces after Saturday’s match, and we know what we have to do to bounce back strongly this week,” […]
