Live Reporting
Japan will host the next Rugby World Cup, of course, so what will that victory do to the sport in the land of the rising sun?
For once, no-one can disagree with Austin Healey...
We weren't lying. Japan did beat South Africa and here's the score to prove it. Rub your eyes once, rub them twice, the score will remain the same.
South Africa captain Jean de Villiers is interviewed on BBC Radio 5 live sports extra.
"There's a lot of disappointment," De Villiers says. "Big credit to Japan they put us under pressure at the end and we were not good enough.
"There is still a possibility to make it out of the group and we need to win every game we have got left but it is hugely disappointing. The character of this side will be tested. It is not doom and gloom but a massive dent to us."
In every other Rugby World Cup match Japan had conceded an average of 48 points per game. They hadn't won in 18 World Cup matches. They were written off. They weren't given a hope. They were expected to be thrashed. BUT THEY HAVE BEATEN SOUTH AFRICA! Incredible.
"The imagination this has captured it is worth its weight in gold. David has beaten Goliath. The small has beaten the big. The underdogs have beaten the battle hardened.
"Unbelievable. It was a tactical masterclass. Japan were ruthlessly efficient and they made only two or three mistakes with their handling. They are deserved of the name 'brave' in their nickname."
Ayumu Goromaru misses the conversion but who cares about that. Japanese fans are in tears. Japanese players are in tears. South Africa's players are on their knees.
That's the biggest surprise in World Cup history.
History! Japan score in the corner. Karne Hesketh receives the ball 5m from the line and the replacement finishes off the move to ensure Japan beat South Africa for the first time in their history.
It's Japan's first victory at a World Cup since 1991!
The ball bobbles out from the base but Japan still have possession. The forwards surge, well, forward...
Japan 6m from the tryline. South Africa holding firm...
The front row collapse... it's one way of ensuring this fantastic match never ends, I suppose.
The scrum turns, which means it must be reset. Ear-splitting noise inside the stadium... the Japanese bench are on their feet... coach Eddie Jones is standing... Will we witness history?
Eddie Jones is on his feet. Japanese fans are on their feet...Penalty for the Brave Blossoms as the Springboks err in the scrum... Japan opt for another scrum. We're into added time.
No sign of the ball as the replays show the drive from almos every angle. "There's nothing clear at all, it's got to be a scrum five. Red ball."
The crowd hiss.
Japan go again. Thirty seconds or so left.
A heap of red and white shirts go over the tryline in unison. Did someone touchdown? The referee asks the TMO...
South Africa fans looking through the lattice of their fingers. Could they lose this in the final seconds?
Japan with the line-out... the catch... they drive... seconds remaining and the Brave Blossoms are going for it!
Coenie Oosthuizen is shown a yellow card for not rolling away. What will Japan do? They're 5m from the South African line...
They opt from the catch and drive. Oh boy.
Japan can smell the whitewash... they're inching ever closer to South Africa's line... Two minutes remaining... Oh my giddy aunt...
Japan inside South Africa's 22... the crowd creating a deafening noise... patiently they recycle... punching and probing... phase after phase...
Three minutes remaining
No comments:
Post a Comment