The 2015 Rugby World Cup came to life on Saturday evening in Brighton, when Japan put on the performance of their lives to beat South Africa 34-32 with a try in injury time. 

The Springboks were completely outplayed by a Japanese side who gambled in the final moments, turning down to a penalty to draw level, in turn scoring the match winning try. 

The Pool B game came to life in the second-half, with the two sides trading blows at regular intervals to thrill the raucous Brighton crowd. 

An 84th minute try by Karne Hesketh in the left-hand corner sparked scenes of delirium by Japanese players and fans alike who were each incredible throughout the game. 

Cherry Blossoms remain in touch early on

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. 

Tries by Francois Louw and Bismarck du Plessis for the Springboks came on the back of expertly driven mauls, with Japan responding with a drive of their own, finished off by the incredible Michael Leitch

Goromaru keeps Japanese in touch

After the break, the Japanese just continued to fight back when it looked like they were destined for defeat. 

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 African's leading 29-22 with 10 minutes remaining. 

Goromaru then found himself on the end of an incredible set of passes by the Japanese back-line, which sent the full-back over in the corner to draw the sides level late on. 

Incredible ending sees Cherry Blossoms gain victory

After Handre Pollard had wrestled back the lead for South Africa with a penalty, the Japanese trailed by three points as the full time whistle approached. 

Incredibly though, Japan launched a length of the field attack, which ended with them being awarded a penalty five metres out for which Coenie Oosthuizen was sin-binned for the Springboks. 

They were then awarded a penalty at the scrum as time expired, leaving them with the decision of taking the three points to draw, or try to force the victory.

Leitch chose the latter, and it paid off with Hesketh crashing over in the corner, with Japan causing the biggest ever Rugby World Cup shock in the process. 

VAVEL Logo
About the author