The Springboks’ loss to Japan has shown that on game day, any team can win if they are determined enough and show up to play.
The fact the victors were a team which had only won one game in Rugby World Cup history – a 52-8 win over Zimbabwe in 1991 – getting over South Africa, World Cup winners in 1995 and 2007, highlights this fact.
The Rugby World Cup has been littered with upsets since 1987. Think France’s 43-31 win over the All Blacks in 1999, having being thrashed by 50 points several months earlier. Samoa’s 38-31 win over Wales in 1999. Ireland’s 15-6 win over Australia in 2011.
But while these upsets were significant, they are nothing in comparison to Japan’s 34-32 win, which is being talked about as the greatest rugby upset of all time.
The most capped team in South African rugby’s history was out-played, out-enthused, out-muscled, out-thought and out of sorts, playing against a team that was disciplined, resilient, fit, aggressive and determined to win at all costs.
A penalty kick in the dying stages with the opportunity to draw the match – so we could all go home and say ‘Japan played well and the Boks were lucky’ – was never going to happen. It was to be all or nothing.
It was a defining moment in not only Japanese rugby, but in world rugby, signalling the emergence of second tier nations on the big stage.
The ramifications of the loss have been enormous for South African rugby, with many calling for the coach and players to be sacked. While frustration and pain have been replaced with anger and resentment, it’s time for cool heads to prevail. We are talking about one of the greatest rugby nations on the planet, who still have everything to play for, and the team to win this World Cup.
The Springboks’ game against Samoa will be a test of of character, both individually and collectively, to see if they can bounce back. South Africa will carry their loss to Japan, as well as the added pressure of restoring pride in their proud nation’s jersey.
Will South Africa’s fate be sealed, or will they come back with a vengeance, win the game in a dominant manner, and restore pride?
All I can say is any team can win if they are determined enough and show up to play – and only a fool would write off the Springboks.
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