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If you are waking up to read this, you have slept through what just might be the biggest story of the 2015 Rugby World Cup. Japan have beat 1995 and 2007 champions South Africa 34-32, with a try after the final siren.
The commentators on ITV Sport summed up the feelings of many who had watched the match or followed the coverage on The Roar, “Forget the history of the World Cup, this is the biggest thing to happen in rugby since William Webb Ellis picked up that ball”, and when watching the scenes from Brighton was hard to disagree. In a World Cup where those outside Tier 1 have historically played their role as little more than speedbumps, the significance of the Japanese win cannot be overstated.
Central to the win was the brave and courageous decision from the Japanese to turn down two unmissable penalties in the final seconds, both of which that would have brought them a draw. Instead, both times they went for the try – a high-risk, high-reward play that would pay off big time.
There were tears from many in the crowd, including a huge contingent of travelling Japanese supporters, who for the previous 80 minutes seemed too nervous to believe what they were seeing. Add to that plenty of neutral fans, who became far less neutral as soon as they realised they might be seeing one of the biggest moments ever in the history of the sport.
It's the biggest upset in rugby history!
This World Cup has just EXPLODED!
@JRFURugby #RSAvJPN
#RWC2015 #ITVRWC pic.twitter.com/Q8fKMspvhW
— ITV (@ITV) September 19, 2015
The match started with a nerve-settling penalty to the Japanese, before both teams traded tries and goals to go into the break with South Africa leading 12-10.
South Africa scored immediately after the break through Luke de Jager, but the Japanese refused to lose touch with the Springboks, kicking successive penalties to even up the score at 22-22 with 20 minutes to play. An Adrian Strauss try in the 62nd minute stretched the Springboks’ lead to 7, and it appeared that world rugby order was being restored.
Those watching the match – and plenty of hopeful South Africans – would have been excused from thinking they were watching a repeat of the tournament opener, in which a brave Fiji were eventually outclassed by England. But, and following on from Georgia’s early win over Tonga, Japan refused to die. The Cherry Blossoms equalised again through the try of the game, a classy backline move with an inside pass allowing Ayumu Goromaru to go over.
South Africa got themselves some breathing space with a penalty to lead 32-29 into the dying stages. The last 5 minutes of the match were spent with Japan camped on the South African line, trying anything and everything to get across the stripe.
Successive penalties within kickable distance were provided, but the Japanese were having none of it. They were going for the win.
With the clock at 85 minutes, the ball was spread from right sideline to left sideline, before Karne Hesketh dived over in just inside the left corner post.
Thanks #JPN, just an amazing moment https://t.co/WA5V0e911w #RWC2015
— James Dart (@James_Dart) September 19, 2015
While praise was rightly placed on the Japanese players, there was plenty of love for former Wallabies and current Japanese coach Eddie Jones, who masterminded the victory over South Africa. Praise came from an unlikely source, with Jones 2003 nemesis Clive Woodward one of the first to congratulate him on Twitter.
Wow – biggest calls in history of World Cup – Japan no kicks for goal / totally best game ever in World Cup history – Eddie Jones brilliant
— Sir Clive Woodward (@CliveWoodward) September 19, 2015
In the other coaches box, Heyneke Meyer could be seen throwing his headset to the ground and storming up the tunnel, probably steadying himself for the biggest player-grilling in the history of world rugby. He has seven days to turn it around, with the Springboks taking on Samoa on Saturday.
But, and despite a number of tactical errors from the Springboks, it was the Japanese who won the match, not the Springboks who lost it. Their fluent and clinical rugby caught the Springboks off guard, and will pose a threat to all of their opponents for the remainder of the Cup.
The task for Eddie Jones is now to ensure the players reflect on their achievement, but ready themselves for their next match – against Scotland in Gloucester on Wednesday.
For a team that had only won one match at a Rugby World Cup, their win shows the progress that Japan rugby is making in the lead-up to hosting the tournament in 2019.
Join The Roar rugby editor Christy Doran, former Wallaby Matt Toomua and a cast of regular and special guests as they look at the biggest issues in the game on The Roar Rugby Podcast. If you’re looking for great odds on the next game check out Aussie bookmaker PlayUp. Chances are you’re about to lose. Set a deposit limit.