Rugby World Cup: Japan beats South Africa 34-32 as late try seals stunning upset
JAPAN defy expectations and odds of up to 400-1 to play superb rugby, turn the mighty Springboks into a fumbling mess and produce a ‘miracle’ 34-32 RWC result.
Rugby
Don't miss out on the headlines from Rugby. Followed categories will be added to My News.
JAPAN ignored a draw to pull off the greatest upset in Rugby World Cup history by beating South Africa with a thrilling try after the final siren in Brighton.
The 34-32 result, hailed as a “miracle” by Japan’s mastermind and former Wallabies coach Eddie Jones, stunned the Springboks and threw their World Cup hopes under a Brave Blossoms bus.
Japan’s win was their first at a World Cup in 19 games; their only other win coming against Zimbabwe in 1991.
The dramatic boilover also threw a spanner into the works for the entire World Cup finals qualifying picture; particularly for Australia, Wales and England in the pool of death, pool A.
If South Africa now end up finishing second in their pool, they may be waiting in the quarter-finals for the winner of pool A.
Prior to Japan’s upset win, it was forecast the second-placed finisher in the pool of death would have the Boks and then the All Blacks in their way to make the final, and an easier path on the other side.
All that changed on a staggering afternoon in Brighton, where Japan repeatedly came from behind to post only their second ever World Cup win.
Even with Craig Wing on the sidelines, Japan defied expectations and odds of up to 400-1 online to play superb rugby and turn the mighty Boks into a fumbling mess.
The Boks only led 12-10 at halftime and though they scored tries to Lood de Jager and Adriaan Strauss in the second half, Japan refused to give up and kept in touch with penalty goals.
With the scoreline 32-29 in the 78th minute, Japan were on the attack in the Springbok territory but turned down three easy kicks at goal via penalties to push for the win via a line out and some scrums.
It paid off.
Utilising a man up due to a South African man being sin-binned, the ball was swung to the left edge where reserve back Karne Hesketh scored the match winner in the corner in the 83rd minute.
It was Japan’s finest hour and confirmed Jones as one of the great World Cup coaches, having steered Australia to the 2003 final, helped South Africa win in 2007 and overseen South Africa’s first ever loss to a tier 2 nation.
“It was a very humbling experience. I had to look at the score at the end of the match to see if it was true or not,” Jones said post-match.
“They were more than brave. It took great courage by the captain to go for the try. This result is right up there with my greatest experiences. I had to check whether this was a miracle or reality.”
Crestfallen Springbok coach Heyneke Meyer said he had to say sorry to South Africa, but nothing short of going on to win the World Cup will save him his job at the end of the tournament.
“It was disappointing and unacceptable. I will have to fix it. We will have to take it on the chin. We scored four tries but gave away soft penalties. I have to apologise to the nation,” he said.
Boks captain Jean de Villiers said: “It was a massive victory for Japan and I am embarrassed.
“All credit to Japan and the way they executed their win. We could never get comfortable. They always hung on. It feels like a massive shock to us, It’s difficult to take it all in.”
Originally published as Rugby World Cup: Japan beats South Africa 34-32 as late try seals stunning upset
Tougher than Twickenham: Suaalii’s stunning Super Rugby claim
As debate continues about where he’s best suited in rugby, Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii has revealed where he wants to settle long-term. Plus, his huge Super Rugby claim.
Suaalii turns heads in crazy debut
Joseph Suaalii stole the show in his Super Rugby debut with an instant impact on the Waratahs, as they clinched a last-gasp win over the Highlanders.