";s:4:"text";s:8362:" South Africa 29-29 Japan, TRY! Japan hanging on in defence. First published on Sat 19 Sep 2015 15.45 BST. That’s 185 tackles, maths fans. Amazing what a try can do to assuage those early nerves. The fairytale is over but what a journey it's been for Japan Long may this flavour of Japanese rugby continue Truly emotional scenes at the full time whistle pic.twitter.com/JMuLfbTWmA. Leitch breaks down the left before offloading. Ranked 13 in the IRB standings, the Asian champions are one of three sides - along with Italy and Romania - who have featured at every World Cup without ever making it out of their pool. 71 mins: On one hand, Scotland will be looking at Japan’s performance here and swallowing hard. Japan are attacking with real ambition but it isn't quite coming off. The key to South Africa's future dominance in this match is clear: as many rolling mauls as possible.
And Schalk Burger wrestled Thompson to the ground with an arm round the neck – it could get worse for South Africa. TRY! The replacements have given South Africa fresh oomph and Japan have to hang on too long and forced down the maul to stop . They're going for the try and make touch. Japan win the scrum, Hesketh keeps it in at the back, but it wheels a little and Garces orders it to be re-set. It’s a penalty, and Oosthuizen has been shown a yellow card!
World Cup match Japan vs South Africa (20 Oct 2019).
Japan, playing brilliantly and fluently, are level once again.
Critics caution that very little has been proven. Japan build phases in the Springbok 22. Springboks head coach Heyneke Meyer has named a starting XV boasting 880 caps as he looks to make the most of his star-studded squad. Mafi replaces Tui at No8 for Japan and makes an impact from the kick-off, knocking Jannie du Plessis of his feet. De Klerk exits the field after a commanding performance. Another scrum penalty to South Africa and this should be another three points for the Springboks. Thirty-five seconds left. Am kicks through and Japan are driven into touch. Fly-half Handre Pollard landed three penalty goals from the 44th to the 64th minutes to extend the margin to 14-3 before the game finally opened up. "We will definitely try to play the game at our pace, and they will try to play the game at their pace," said South Africa head coach Rassie Erasmus before the game. The squad is very special.
The conversion is missed, and the final whistle sounds. 50 mins: Interesting handling error stat, South Africa having committed six of them, to Japan’s one. Horrific challenge. They're within the 22 now in the 24th phase. Frantic attack again. Mtawarira smashes Inagaki but tips his legs in the air. Available for everyone, funded by readers.
Hear from @Springboks captain, Siya Kolisi as his side powers through to a Semi-Final meeting with Wales #RWC2019 #JPNvRSA #WebbEllisCup #RWCTokyo pic.twitter.com/oozwW4RBSF. This has been a very impressive performance by the Boks who have been the only side in the contest in the second half. South Africa attack left and Le Roux drops the ball for no good reason just as the space was opening up in front of him. Japan break right off the scrum and South Africa turn it over again - the ninth of the day. However, they have only come away with three points which could be costly. But the Cherry Blossoms boss is refusing to rule out the possibility that the Japanese underdogs can slay the two-time champions when they kick off their World Cup campaign in Brighton. Scrum to Japan which they win, break left inside the South Africa 22 and what do you know, Japan have a penalty from 12m for Du Plessis's intervention rather than Burger's high tackle.
"We've come to this World Cup to gain some respect for Japan. Sheesh, this is insufferable. And that video, folks, is perhaps a fitting way to conclude our coverage of what has been a truly monumentous match. Pollard finds Le Roux who puts away Mapimpi who runs the ball in from 30 metres out despite a high shot from Matsushima. They have escaped there. South Africa break left into masses of space. Cheslin Kolbe got Toulouse off to a perfect start on Saturday against La Rochelle scoring in the 11th minute of the game... Leinster’s sombre exit from the Champions Cup yesterday heralded the conclusion of a noteworthy rugby career, that of Rob Kearney’s. De Klerk takes his time befor box-kicking the ball away. Japan scored a last-minute try to seal one of the all-time great sporting upsets against overwhelming favourites South Africa, Sat 19 Sep 2015 19.18 BST The ball is stripped by the desperate Japanese defence. Scrum to the favourites who win it, but not without discomfort, and Pollard goes for a sky-er. South Africa clear their lines after the penalty. As well they might.