Twitter Reacts To Japan’s Victory Over South Africa

But just minutes later the roof almost came off the Amex once more as Goromaru ran in an excellent try before kicking the conversion to take the scores level. “It’s a fantastic achievement”, said coach Eddie Jones who will leave the team after the World Cup.

“It was a very humbling experience”. Japan kick for the corner and will have a lineout five yards from the South Africa try-line!

“Well we were more than fearless today, we kept sticking in there and not letting go”. That’s my dream. Look, I’m too old for this.

Lood De Jager and Adriaan Strauss scored under the posts in the second half but a try from full-back Ayumu Goromaru, as well as his nerveless kicking, drew Japan level at 29-29 with just 10 minutes to play.

“I had to go back out and check the scoreboard again”, said Jones, a man whose quips are as sharp as his coaching drills.

30′ TRY! Japan roll their maul over the South African line and captain Michael Leitch stretches out to make the score.

“We knew they were going to be tough but that we had to concentrate on the way we play”.

Instead they recorded their second win in 24 years at the World Cup against one of the biggest names in the sport and eased memories of their 145-17 humiliation by the All Blacks in 1995.

Their unlikely lead did not last long, however, with hooker Bismarck Du Plessis the man diving over to give South Africa a narrow advantage at half-time. The try was not given, but Japan had another scrum.

The Springboks were rocked by Japan on Saturday night, going down 34-32 in what is surely the biggest upset in the history of the tournament.

It seemed lost, as it looked – momentarily – as if South Africa turned the ball over.

That should have settled any early-tournament nerves for the Springboks, but rather than opening the floodgates, Japan hit back with a try of their own.

As Hesketh was mobbed by his teammates in the corner, South Africa sat head in hands, towels on heads, as the crushing disappointment sank in.

Beaten South Africa coach Heyneke Meyer said the result was “unacceptable – I have to apologise to the nation”. The character of this side will be tested.

But Japan’s confidence soared as the majority of the crowd threw their backing behind the most outside of outsiders.

South Africa’s players slumped to the ground in sheer disbelief at the final whistle on a day when, despite scoring four tries, the team’s solid reputation melted like butter and its supposedly rock-solid defense was as soft as confetti.

Japan forced the Springboks into frequent mistakes from the get-go.

The Springboks were expected to have few problems against a team ranked 13th in the world as they began their bid to become the first nation to win the title on three occasions. 22-19. Lambie puts the Boks back in front after Japan’s backs stray offside on defence.