“Harry Potter author JK Rowling, who lives north of the border, claimed she would have struggled to pen a script that saw Karne Hesketh run in an 84th-minute try: “#RSAvJPN #RugbyWorldCup You couldn’t write this…”
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Japan’s players celebrate after their victory against South Africa in a Rugby World Cup Pool B m …
South Africa committed multiple errors, while their defence was particularly poor on the day.
But after Japan refused to kick for a draw, persistence and bravery was rewarded as the ball was swept from right to left and Hesketh squeezed through. We knew they were going to be tough, but we gave away too many penalties, our discipline was just not good enough. “I had to look at the scoreboard at the end just to see if it was true or not”.
Tries by Springbok forwards Lodewyk de Jager and Adriaan Strauss came after excellent breaks, yet the boot of Ayumu Goromaru kept the Japanese score ticking over with the South Africa’s leading 29-22 with 10 minutes remaining. “I’ve coached for 20 years and I’ve never worked harder”, said Jones.
30′ TRY! Japan roll their maul over the South African line and captain Michael Leitch stretches out to make the score. For the boys to turn down the chance of a draw with that last penalty to go for the win, and get it, told you everything about them.
“This is one of the greatest upsets in sporting history and our World Cup has got off to a flyer”, said a spokesman for bookies William Hill.
Japan took the lead again through a Goromaru penalty, but again the Boks hit back. The try was not given, but Japan had another scrum.
The 34-year-old de Villiers, who has 107 caps despite a litany of injuries, is seeking a record third world title for the Springboks and make up for his personal disappointment at missing the 2007 title success when he was injured in the opening game.
It seemed lost, as it looked – momentarily – as if South Africa turned the ball over.
The correct answer was in fact raw elation following Japan’s mind-boggling upset over the Springboks.
In the context of their narrow defeat against a hugely committed Japan side, Meyer was completely outthought by his opposite number. “It was unacceptable and I take full responsibility”, he lamented.
Shota Horie will be relied upon to take on the big ship Bismarck du Plessis at hooker, and he should do a good enough job.
Pollard obliged, and the Boks went 32-29 up. “I’m glad we’ve managed to not only surprise our own fans back in Japan, but also fans across the world”.
Goromaru pushed a second penalty wide of the posts three minutes later after South Africa were penalised for off-side as they struggled to deal with the lively Japan attack.
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Despite South Africa winning much of the territorial battles in the first-half, they went into the half-time sheds with just a two point lead.
