Jesse Clegg's Emotional Springboks Anthem Tribute Leaves South Africa in Tears

• Jesse Clegg performed the national anthem before the Springboks vs All Blacks match in Baltimore on 12 September 2026
• The performance came just moments after his late father Johnny Clegg's iconic song Impi played as the Boks entered the pitch
• Jesse also performed Spirit of the Great Heart during a pre-match concert outside the stadium, honouring his dad's legendary legacy

There wasn't a dry eye in the house. Jesse Clegg reduced rugby fans to tears with his rendition of Nkosi Sikelel' iAfrika before the Springboks faced the All Blacks at M&T Bank Stadium in Baltimore on Saturday, 12 September 2026, in what many are calling one of the most moving anthem performances South Africa has seen in years.

The timing made it all the more poignant. Moments before Jesse stepped up to the microphone, the stadium rang out with his late father Johnny Clegg's beloved battle cry, Impi, as the Springbok squad walked out onto the pitch. For many watching, the transition from father to son felt almost cinematic.

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A son's ode to his father

Before the match itself, the 38-year-old performed a full concert for an overwhelmingly South African crowd gathered outside the stadium. During the set, he sang Spirit of the Great Heart, a 1987 hit from Johnny Clegg's band Savuka. That same year, the group released Asimbonanga, the iconic tribute to Nelson Mandela during his imprisonment on Robben Island.

Both moments served as a quiet, heartfelt salute to Johnny Clegg, a humanitarian and anti-apartheid activist who lost his battle with pancreatic cancer in 2019. Jesse, his firstborn son, has carried that musical and moral legacy with quiet dignity. He w

Taking to his X account after the match, Jesse Clegg expressed how much the experience meant to him. He wrote, responding to the wave of praise flooding in from South Africans at home and abroad:

"This was a real honour."

Watch the performance below:

Mzansi reacts to Jesse's performance

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The reactions poured in from across the country and the diaspora:

@ReneMaritz289:

"Compliments, Jesse, you did the national anthem excellently!"

@HeyPipeeer:

"A proud moment. 👏🫶 You're your father's son."

@LizaZulu777:

"You did a superior job - your dad would have been proud. ♥️"

@terrylevin:

"Perfect choice - you made us all proud."

@Charlot56256625:

"Like father, like son. Sincerity. ❤️ Beautiful, thank you."

@AgainstMeaning:

"You did a fantastic job, bru. 🤙"

@JPHoward69:

"Fabulous rendition, what an occasion."

@eileenrich14:

"And you were brilliant! Thank you, Jesse. ❤️"

@ryanfern79:

"Was beautiful, mate. Such a wonderful moment. ❤️"

@zics89:

"This was beautiful. 👌"

Jesse Clegg collaborated with Sjava

Singers Msaki and Jesse Clegg have joined forces for a groundbreaking collaboration.

The pair have released their new song Wayside Lover with a surprise feature from Sjava.

Source: Briefly News