QF4 - Match Thread - Japan v South Africa - 20/10/19 - K/O 11:15 BST

[Guest]

First topic message reminder :

Thought I'd get these made nice and early for a few reasons - but one being that we're already now looking ahead to the QFs with several teams having finished their group stage, so it's all heating up for the proper knockout stuff...barring any more disruption.

Japan



Team:


South Africa



Team: Willie le Roux, Cheslin Kolbe, Lukhanyo Am, Damian de Allende, Makazole Mapimpi, Handré Pollard, Faf de Klerk, Duane Vermeulen, Pieter-Steph du Toit, Siya Kolisi (C), Lood de Jager, Eben Etzebeth, Frans Malherbe, Bongi Mbonambi, Tendai Mtawarira.

Reps: Malcolm Marx, Steven Kitshoff, Vincent Koch, RG Snyman, Franco Mostert, Francois Louw, Herschel Jantjies, Frans Steyn.



Venue: Tokyo
Referee: Wayne Barnes
AR1: Ben O'Keeffe
AR2: Luke Pearce
TMO: Rowan Kitt

[Guest]

Yeah I like Pollard. Very good at the basics and goes about it a bit more quietly than someone like Biggar. Not sure he's top drawer, but he's what SA have needed after Morne Steyn retired.

[Collapse2005]

Interesting story doing the rounds in SA over Nick Mallet's niece getting sacked from a cape town school for a relationship with some of the students. Total news of the world stuff I know.

[robbo277]

South Africa were well in control of the Italy game before the red card. Can't remember what the score was at the time, maybe 10 points ahead? But looking very comfortable regardless.

[Old Man]

South Africa was crushing them, the Italian scrum went uncontested in two scrums. They were dominated heavily.

Still question those sudden injuries.

[robbo277]

In Italy's defence they looked pretty legitimate. Maybe they're just great actors.

But even with uncontested scrums and without the red card, South Africa would have won that match.

[Taylorman]

Even now SA are saying Japan play 'like NZ'- kinda obvious given the coaching.

Thats an easy setup for a gameplan because Rassie has already secured wins against the ABs. Bet he wished Japan were kitted out in black. Would make his task easier.

[Taylorman]

Springboks team to play Japan!

15. Willie le Roux 14. Cheslin Kolbe 13. Lukhanyo Am 12. Damian de Allende 11. Makazole Mapimpi 10. Handré Pollard 9. Faf de Klerk 8. Duane Vermeulen 7. Pieter-Steph du Toit 6. Siya Kolisi 5. Lood de Jager 4. Eben Etzebeth 3. Frans Malherbe 2. Bongi Mbonambi 1. Tendai Mtawarira

Replacements:16. Malcolm Marx 17. Steven Kitshoff 18. Vincent Koch 19. RG Snyman 20. Franco Mostert 21. Francois Louw 22. Herschel Jantjies 23. Frans Steyn

How on earth Japan is going to beat that I don’t know.

[Old Man]

Happy for Beast and Bongi to start. Lood there purely because of his recent form, rest as expected.

[Taylorman]

Great bench too, experience and talent galore.

[Old Man]

Those starting forwards and bench forwards are going to provide 80 minutes of bone crunching never ending physicality

[Poorfour]

Springboks team to play Japan!

15. Willie le Roux 14. Cheslin Kolbe 13. Lukhanyo Am 12. Damian de Allende 11. Makazole Mapimpi 10. Handré Pollard 9. Faf de Klerk 8. Duane Vermeulen 7. Pieter-Steph du Toit 6. Siya Kolisi 5. Lood de Jager 4. Eben Etzebeth 3. Frans Malherbe 2. Bongi Mbonambi 1. Tendai Mtawarira

Replacements:16. Malcolm Marx 17. Steven Kitshoff 18. Vincent Koch 19. RG Snyman 20. Franco Mostert 21. Francois Louw 22. Herschel Jantjies 23. Frans Steyn

How on earth Japan is going to beat that I don’t know.

I imagine they will put pressure on the breakdown and hope to hurry Faf into bad decisions, and keep the ball in hand when they have it to tire the Boks out.

It's not going to be easy, but if they can hold the Boks to a low score early in the game, they will have chances as it opens out later on.

[Taylorman]

Springboks team to play Japan!

15. Willie le Roux 14. Cheslin Kolbe 13. Lukhanyo Am 12. Damian de Allende 11. Makazole Mapimpi 10. Handré Pollard 9. Faf de Klerk 8. Duane Vermeulen 7. Pieter-Steph du Toit 6. Siya Kolisi 5. Lood de Jager 4. Eben Etzebeth 3. Frans Malherbe 2. Bongi Mbonambi 1. Tendai Mtawarira

Replacements:16. Malcolm Marx 17. Steven Kitshoff 18. Vincent Koch 19. RG Snyman 20. Franco Mostert 21. Francois Louw 22. Herschel Jantjies 23. Frans Steyn

How on earth Japan is going to beat that I don’t know.

I imagine they will put pressure on the breakdown and hope to hurry Faf into bad decisions, and keep the ball in hand when they have it to tire the Boks out.

It's not going to be easy, but if they can hold the Boks to a low score early in the game, they will have chances as it opens out later on.

Yes, a description the ABs get just about every time we play them. The Jap back three is potent but you just get the feeling the Bok juggernaut will just try and roll over them. Well, I do.

[Poorfour]

Of course it will. It tried to roll over the ABs as well, and it didn't work. Japan are not as good as the ABs, but they will have watched that game closely and will know that if they can hold out in defence they will have chances.

[Taylorman]

Yep, Joseph certainly continues to push the tier one envelope as they keep impressing.

[Old Man]

Of course it will. It tried to roll over the ABs as well, and it didn't work. Japan are not as good as the ABs, but they will have watched that game closely and will know that if they can hold out in defence they will have chances.

Apart from a five minute burst where the All Blacks took their opportunities and scored two tries it worked very well for the other 75 minutes.

It has been working fine for the last 4 matches vs the AB’s.

It will be just fine for Japan.

Consider that Rassie’s team is still evolving, you might just be surprised with a little extra poison in the bow during the final stage of the RWC.

[Guest]

6 + 2 split on the bench. Clear where this game is going to be played by the Boks.

[Taylorman]

At least it’s evolving, our side looks like it’s just beginning! At least in the backs.

[Guest]

This looks like a comfortable win for the Boks.

For the neutrals, and Welsh, who want the Boks to have a tough game - or even a Japanese win, however improbable - you have to hope Japan survive the first quarter. The Boks will hammer them early doors, and if they keep it to 14-0, they stand an outside chance, but still a chance. Better yet, they can get back in to the game and make it competitive for at least 60 minutes.

Cannot see the Boks letting up. Japana prepared for Ireland and Scotland for a long, long time. They've achieved their goals. This is just the bonus. That's not disrespectful, it's reality. They're still tier 2. Scotland are poor. Ireland were poor. They won't had done as much work on the Boks as they did for the other 2. All things considered - the history, the crowd, the favourites tag - SA might struggle a bit with the pressure, but not enough to faze them, you'd think. Not for the full 80, anyway.

Just hope Japan keep it competitive really. Unfortunately get the feeling this is a game too far, and it could be an ugly scoreline.

[Poorfour]

There were a lot of people writing Japan off before the Scotland match, too.

I think there's a very good chance that South Africa will win, but I also think there's a very good chance that Japan will be in the match for much longer than people expect, and if the Boks don't keep the scoreboard ticking over it could make for a very interesting end to the match.

[Old Man]

There is one major difference that cannot be ignored.

Japan has been working on a plan to beat Ireland and Scotland to win their pool.

South Africa has been planning revenge on Japan since Rassie took over.

Therefor there are very little surprise factor in this match.

New Zealand is the only team that has run the Boks ragged in the last four years, and even then, only for small periods.

Japan brings a contrasting style to the Springbok match.

But that is it.

They do not have the quality of players the All Blacks have. They bring speed of play and some fast runners.

That has to contend with a very physical bok pack and bench. What must not be ignored is South Africa has pace on the wings as well, and some creativity with Kolbe.

So even though the Bok plan for the most part is physical, that is not all they bring to the party.

The starting pack is more mobile than you’d expect. Once softened up, Mostert, Snyman and co. who have a running game and offloading game will be a handful.

The bench is experienced, they can close matches down.

[Taylorman]

Yeah, and the Scot and Irish efforts were tight finishes. They possibly rate higher than Scotland, Italy and now Argie, but not a lot higher. End of the run for Japan I say.

I don’t think there are any upsets this round though as a kiwi I’ll never write France off, and they look the least likeliest to win.

Eng, Wales, Boks and ABs through I say.

[Guest]

Not sure about that Old Man. Wales have been all over the Boks at times - dominated the first half in Cardiff last year, for starters.

[Old Man]

Bok vs Japan warm up match highlights.

[Old Man]

Not sure about that Old Man. Wales have been all over the Boks at times - dominated the first half in Cardiff last year, for starters.

Not with All Black style rugby miaow. Incidently, that is the last match the Boks lost before NZ beat them in the opening round.

[Guest]

Yes and no. We were running you ragged. Who else plays AB-style apart from the ABs? I don't really think Japan do, tbh. It's markedly different, just noticeably progressive. Japan play Japanese rugby. It's a bit disrespectful - and a classic Kiwi thing - to absorb all the credit for other countries' success just because of a few individuals. No doubt Japan benefit from imports, but they're not playing markedly different to how they've always played.

[Old Man]

Yes and no. We were running you ragged. Who else plays AB-style apart from the ABs? I don't really think Japan do, tbh. It's markedly different, just noticeably progressive. Japan play Japanese rugby. It's a bit disrespectful - and a classic Kiwi thing - to absorb all the credit for other countries' success just because of a few individuals. No doubt Japan benefit from imports, but they're not playing markedly different to how they've always played.

Oh nonsense. Jamie Joseph coached the Highlanders in typical Nz fashion, playing wide to wide, fast ruck ball running rugby.

What is disrespectful about that?

[Guest]

It's not a NZ style. It's Japanese style.

[Old Man]

With New Zealand influencing much of it.

[Guest]

Nope. Some Kiwi coaches. Don't go giving the likes of T here the credit for Japanese success!

[Old Man]

[mikey_dragon]

Yes and no. We were running you ragged. Who else plays AB-style apart from the ABs? I don't really think Japan do, tbh. It's markedly different, just noticeably progressive. Japan play Japanese rugby. It's a bit disrespectful - and a classic Kiwi thing - to absorb all the credit for other countries' success just because of a few individuals. No doubt Japan benefit from imports, but they're not playing markedly different to how they've always played.

Oh nonsense. Jamie Joseph coached the Highlanders in typical Nz fashion, playing wide to wide, fast ruck ball running rugby.

What is disrespectful about that?

It's quite obvious.

I don't think it's disrespectful. Wayne Pivac, another kiwi and the next Wales coach, implemented that style upon Scarlets. He even said that the coaches went down to NZ to look at what they were doing - probably Auckland or Blues? It was simple rugby. Physical defence and at the breakdown, force the mistakes, counter-attack with fast ruck ball running rugby.

[mikey_dragon]

The Springbok team is so big and strong. I don't think many teams bar NZ are able to handle that. I certainly dread Wales facing them, given we don't have as strong a bench this time around.

[Guest]

SA team

Willie le Roux, Cheslin Kolbe, Lukhanyo Am, Damian de Allende, Makazole Mapimpi, Handré Pollard, Faf de Klerk, Duane Vermeulen, Pieter-Steph du Toit, Siya Kolisi (C), Lood de Jager, Eben Etzebeth, Frans Malherbe, Bongi Mbonambi, Tendai Mtawarira.

Reps: Malcolm Marx, Steven Kitshoff, Vincent Koch, RG Snyman, Franco Mostert, Francois Louw, Herschel Jantjies, Frans Steyn.

Hard to see anything but Japan getting hammered in my opinion.

[Taylorman]

Yep, end of the road...Boks will get to pin the 2015 pool defeat high up on their wall and put an end to that chapter.

(Meanies, fancy treating the locals and hosts like that...what have they done?)

[LondonTiger]

SA team

Willie le Roux, Cheslin Kolbe, Lukhanyo Am, Damian de Allende, Makazole Mapimpi, Handré Pollard, Faf de Klerk, Duane Vermeulen, Pieter-Steph du Toit, Siya Kolisi (C), Lood de Jager, Eben Etzebeth, Frans Malherbe, Bongi Mbonambi, Tendai Mtawarira.

Reps: Malcolm Marx, Steven Kitshoff, Vincent Koch, RG Snyman, Franco Mostert, Francois Louw, Herschel Jantjies, Frans Steyn.

Hard to see anything but Japan getting hammered in my opinion.

A team announcement so good, it was worth naming it again?

Not sure people have mentioned the 6:2 split on the bench yet.

[LondonTiger]

Japan have made one injury-enforced change to the starting line-up for Sunday’s Rugby World Cup quarter-final against South Africa, bringing Ryohei Yamanaka in at fullback in place of William Tupou.

Tupou suffered a concussion in Japan’s win over Scotland at Yokohama last weekend and drops out of the matchday 23 altogether, with livewire winger Lomano Lava Lemeki named among the replacements as cover for the back three.

Coach Jamie Joseph also made two changes to the forwards on the bench with Wimpie van der Walt and Amanaki Lelei Mafi replacing fellow big men Uwe Helu and Hendrik Tui for what is likely to be a physical battle against the Springboks.

Loosehead prop Jiwon Koo was forced off the pitch against the Scots by a rib injury but has recovered sufficiently to take his place in the front row.

Japan: 15-Ryohei Yamanaka, 14-Kotaro Matsushima, 13-Timothy Lafaele, 12-Ryoto Nakamura, 11-Kenki Fukuoka, 10-Yu Tamura, 9-Yutaka Nagare, 8-Kazuki Himeno, 7-Pieter Labuschagne, 6-Michael Leitch (captain), 5-James Moore, 4-Luke Thompson, 3-Jiwon Koo, 2-Shota Horie, 1-Keita Inagaki.

Replacements: 16-Atsushi Sakate, 17-Isileli Nakajima, 18-Asaeli Ai Valu, 19-Wimpie van der Walt, 20-Amanaki Lelei Mafi, 21-Fumiaki Tanaka 22-Rikiya Matsuda, 23-Lomano Lava Lemeki.

[Taylorman]

SA team

Willie le Roux, Cheslin Kolbe, Lukhanyo Am, Damian de Allende, Makazole Mapimpi, Handré Pollard, Faf de Klerk, Duane Vermeulen, Pieter-Steph du Toit, Siya Kolisi (C), Lood de Jager, Eben Etzebeth, Frans Malherbe, Bongi Mbonambi, Tendai Mtawarira.

Reps: Malcolm Marx, Steven Kitshoff, Vincent Koch, RG Snyman, Franco Mostert, Francois Louw, Herschel Jantjies, Frans Steyn.

Hard to see anything but Japan getting hammered in my opinion.

A team announcement so good, it was worth naming it again?

Not sure people have mentioned the 6:2 split on the bench yet.

True, jack of all trades man Steyn to cover from 10 out. Does point to what the Boks will be doing with any ball.

[LondonTiger]

Fearing for Japan atm

[LondonTiger]

Which of these would Wales rather face?

[Duty281]

Japan’s only chance is if they start at lightning pace and get early tries to pile the pressure on South Africa (or if we see flashes of red).

Otherwise, Japan’s one dimensional running game (as fun as it is to watch) is likely to get neutralised at the breakdown, followed by being dominated at the set-piece. They’re also likely to run out of energy well before the South Africans do.

[tigertattie]

Love japan but their anthem is truly horrendous.

It’s like a church hymn but worse.

Mind you, flower of Scotland isn’t much better.

[Geordie]

Wow those South africans were blasting that out!!!

[BigGee]

That scrum looked a bit concerning for Japan

Good try from the winger

[westisbest]

Fancy the boks by 20+

[westisbest]

There’s the first 5

[BigGee]

5-0 SA, conversion missed

[Gooseberry]

Men against boys in the scrum.
Japan trying far too much from their own 22 as Aus did and just making it easy. No hope of living with SAs forwards.

Maybe premature but it looks like this could be very one sided.

[BamBam]

This is the problem with trying to hide weak defensive 10s. Out wide against a strong winger is a massive mismatch

[tigertattie]

Yeah I think SA will simply be too powerful for japan to contain.

Hope they can start to play their game though. Want a good contest

[hugehandoff]

SA playing just the right way, which is the obvious way. Japan have to continually take risks and that could burn them.

[Sponsored content]