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Japan celebrate 'greatest Rugby World Cup shock ever', victory over South Africa perfect boost for 2019 host nation

The unfancied Japanese beat the two time winners 34-32

Sunday 20 September 2015 11:02 BST

Japanese fans celebrated their team's shock Rugby World Cup win over heavily-favored South Africa early Sunday in a victory that is sure to give the sport a boost as the country prepares to host the event in four years.

The match started just before 1am. local time and it was mostly diehard rugby fans who decided to stay up and watch. Many in Tokyo got the news when they woke up Sunday morning.

Japan's 34-32 win against the Springboks on Saturday was immediately regarded as the biggest upset in Rugby World Cup history.

"Japan gets historical win over South Africa with dramatic comeback," read a headline on the Sports Hochi website.

Rugby has long been a niche sport in Japan where baseball and soccer dominate the headlines, but the win against the two-time world champions will vastly improve the sport's profile.

"As a Japanese citizen, I felt a lot of pride," said Takashi Sekine, an amateur rugby coach in Japan. "It's great that we were able to display our ability on the world stage. This win will inspire not only rugby fans in Japan but the entire country as well."

A public viewing event was held at Ecopa Stadium in Shizuoka, which will host matches at the 2019 tournament but the win was so unexpected, it caught many off guard.

"I can't believe it," office worker Yuji Nakanishi said. "I didn't see it but I'm going try to watch a re-broadcast tonight with some friends."

South Africa 32 Japan 34 player ratings

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1/18South Africa 32 Japan 34 player ratings

South Africa 32 Japan 34 player ratings

Zane Kirchner - 4/10

Solid under the high ball and skipped past a few defenders with ease but unused in attack for most of the match.

South Africa 32 Japan 34 player ratings

Lwazi Mvovo - 5/10

Looked threatening on the rare occasion he got the ball but was kept very quiet by the Japanese defence.

South Africa 32 Japan 34 player ratings

Jesse Kriel - 5/10

Saw very little of the ball and when he got his hands on it Japan shut him down swiftly. Quiet throughout.

South Africa 32 Japan 34 player ratings

JeanDeVilliers.jpg

Looked sharp considering he has played very little rugby since November. Carried really well and was industrious in defence, but couldn't save his side from an embarrassing defeat.

South Africa 32 Japan 34 player ratings

Bryan Habana - 3/10

Should have paid admission as he was a spectator for most of the match, it was a pretty anonymous outing for the Toulon man.

South Africa 32 Japan 34 player ratings

Pat Lambie - 4/10

Kicked well off the tee but struggled to set his backline in motion against a well-organised Japanese outfit. Pollard should start against Samoa.

South Africa 32 Japan 34 player ratings

Ruan Pienaar - 5/10

Marshaled his forwards well in attack and made a fair few metres with the ball in hand but he couldn't take control behind a pack that were struggling at the breakdown.

South Africa 32 Japan 34 player ratings

Tendai Mtawarira - 3/10

Seriously struggled in the scrum against Hatakeyama and ineffective with the ball in hand. Made just two tackles and rarely got over the gainline.

South Africa 32 Japan 34 player ratings

Bismarck du Plessis - 3/10

Caught out in defence several times and missed a few tackles. Central to the Boks' success at the lineout and in the maul but he did conceded four penalties which proved costly.

South Africa 32 Japan 34 player ratings

Jannie du Plessis - 3/10

Missed three tackles and was part of a front row that were surprisingly dismantled by the Japanese.

South Africa 32 Japan 34 player ratings

Nick de Jager - 6/10

Made some big carries and showed impressive pace for a man mountain when he went over for a try in the 43rd minute. Commanding and consistent at the lineout but didn't make much of a contribution in defence.

South Africa 32 Japan 34 player ratings

Victor Matfield - 7/10

Typically lead the lineout with authority and was dynamic and destructive in the loose. The Japanese struggled to cope with his rampaging runs and offloads.

South Africa 32 Japan 34 player ratings

Pieter Du Toit - 6/10

A solid performance from the openside but is partially responsible for the Boks' inability to recycle possession at the ruck as he was often not quick enough to the clear out. Outplayed by the opposing back row.

South Africa 32 Japan 34 player ratings

Francois Louw - 5/10

Scored the first try from a rolling maul but failed to impose himself on the breakdown. Didn't make much of a contribution in the loose.

South Africa 32 Japan 34 player ratings

Schalk Burger - 8/10

Burger was South Africa's stand out player. Troubled the Japanese defence with some huge carries. Cleaned up well at the base of a retreating scrum and won four turnovers. Racked up the most tackles (for RSA) too with 11.

South Africa 32 Japan 34 player ratings

Adrian Strauss.jpg

Had an immediate impact off the bench when he battered through two tackles and galloped over but was unable to bolster a struggling South African scrum.

South Africa 32 Japan 34 player ratings

Fourie du Preez - 7/10

Should start next week against Samoa. Seized control when he came on and set his sizeable pack in motion with real authority.

South Africa 32 Japan 34 player ratings

Handre Pollard - 7/10

Another player who should be considered for the starting line up against Samoa. Made a brilliant break shortly after coming on and showcased his attacking prowess.

AP

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