On This Day In 2015: Japan stun the World And The Springboks
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Japan pulled off one of the biggest upsets in Rugby World Cup history on 19th September 2015, defeating World Cup champions South Africa 34-32 in a wild encounter at Brighton Community Stadium.
It was the first time these two sides met, and Japan's Karne Hesketh raced for an 84th minute tried that snatched the victory.
5⃣ years ago today, Karne Hesketh scored this try as @JRFURugby secured a historic win over South Africa
— Ultimate Rugby (@ultimaterugby) September 19, 2020
https://t.co/c5br5rngR9
Having endured seven minutes of South African pressure, Japan set the tone for a gripping afternoon when they suddenly broke through and had the pleasure to score first.
Their unlikely lead did not last long, with hooker Bismarck Du Plessis the man diving over to give South Africa a narrow advantage at half-time.
Springbok replacement Adriaan Strauss finished off a rare well-worked move to give them the lead but, yet again, Japan were not finished, scoring three penalties to level the scores again with 54 minutes played.
Kotaro Matsushima worked himself space and sliced the South African defence open as he found that man Goromaru in support and the scores were level with just 10 minutes to play.
South Africa was given little breathing space as Japan was roared on by the crowd, leaving the Springboks with no option but to open their floodgates and accept a well-soaked defeat.
