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There will be no repeat of Brighton at the 2015 world Cup when Japan stunned the Springboks. The Rassie Erasmus team are in a different type to the Bok side beaten 4 years ago.

Japan has improved but is still 20-30 points off the pace when it comes to the likes of South Africa and New Zealand.

Home support will cost 10 points for Japan in Sunday’s quarter-final against the Boks, but when I compare the two teams, player for player, and collectively, there is no way Japan will win.

It is not arrogant or dismissive that Japan has achieved in the group stages. They played sensational Rugby against Ireland and Scotland and all credit to them for the innovation and pace at which they played in this tournament.

Boks is a different prospect to Scotland and a better team than Ireland.

A love affair with Japan should not come at the expense of applauding the quality of Boks at this world Cup. Boks were very good at dismantling Italy, they were exciting in the first 25 minutes against the hapless Canadians and ruthless in the first 20 minutes against Namibia. They were also outstanding in the first 30 minutes against the All Blacks and showed their maturity as a team to fight back from 17-3 to 17-13 with 10 minutes to go against the world Champions.

So many people have asked me if Japan have a chance and my emphatic answer is that they don’t have a prayer if the match is played 15 vs 15 for 80 minutes.

Boks just have too much firepower up front and enough threat among the backs. There is also the Cheslin Kolbe factor. He was a back-row player of the tournament.

I was surprised by the bookies ‘ chances for all four quarter-final matches. The handicap on the Bok match is 14.5 points, which is extremely generous for Japan. It should be 20-plus points.

The All Blacks at this world Cup are not in the vintage of 2015 Champions. They are significantly better than Ireland and they have struggled against the Irish in the last 3 test matches played, 2 of which were won by Ireland.

If the bookmakers showed Ireland a lack of respect, then they gave France too much respect in a six-point handicap against Wales. The latter should win comfortably by double digits. The same goes for England when they play Australia, despite bookmakers predicting this match will end with a one-figure victory for England.

READ: Cheslin loves Japan style

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