September 19, 2015 is one of the most emblematic dates in the recent history of rugby. What happened that Saturday in the group stage of the World Cup is known as the Miracle of Brighton and its echoes resound now throughout Japan, a country overturned with its selection, which seeks again the surprise in the crossing of rooms against South Africa, one of the favorites to the title.
Karne Hesketh's rehearsal rehearsal at Brighton Community Stadium, after Eddie Jones, his coach, gave up two punishments that had secured the draw, still thrills the millions of Japanese who these days review the images of that heroism (34-32).
Four later, the physical inferiority to the Springboks, who were able to give rest to 13 of their 15 starters in the overwhelming victory against Canada (66-7), remains manifest. So the only way to another feat is to repeat his commitment to his offensive rugby, based on the contributions of Kenki Fukuoka, Kotaro Matsushima and Yutaka Nagare.
Klerk's key
According to data from the NTV network, the decisive victory against Scotland (28-21) was followed live last Sunday by 54.8 million people in Japan (53.7% peak audience. And the madness for the World Cup He moves to every corner of the country, where the Cherry Blossoms shirt has sold out in stores.
With this panorama, South Africa will oppose its experience and competitiveness, with Faf de Klerk at the controls. The 'number nine' has shown an excellent level and if it manages to revert to the Cobus Reinach melee medium and the Warrick Gelant and S'Busiso Nkosi wings, the Japanese options will diminish exponentially.
A recent 41-7
The flanker Siya Kolisi must contribute that point of character to completely erase that infamous memory of Brighton, where he was a substitute. "That defeat is still in a small corner of our heads and we don't want to suffer it again," analyzes the first black captain in the history of the Springboks.
The last precedent, with a resounding 41-7 six weeks ago in Kumagaya, will not lower the guard of Rassie Erasmus's men. "They have improved a lot. We all have to take on the challenge," Kolisi concludes.
Quarter finals
Alignments and schedule
JAPAN | Yamanaka - Matsushima, Lafaele, Nakamura, Fukuoka - (or) Tamura, (m) Nagare - Labuschagne, Himeno, Leitch (cap.) - Moore, Thompson - Koo, Horie, Inagaki.
Substitutes | Sakate, Nakajima, Ai Valu, van der Walt, A. Mafi, Tanaka, Matsuda, Lemeki.
SOUTH AFRICA | Le Roux - Kolbe, Am, de Allende, Mapimpi - (o) Pollard, (m) de Klerk - PS Du Toit, Vermeulen, Kolisi (cap.) - de Jager, Etzebeth - Malherbe, Mbonambi, Mtawarira.
Substitutes | Marx, Kitshoff, Koch, Snyman, Mostert, Louw, Jantjies, F. Steyn.
Referee | Wayne Barnes (England).
Stadium | Tokio Stadium (12:15 hours in Spain).
According to the criteria of The Trust Project
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