South Africa gained vengeance for their shock loss to Japan in 2015 by comfortably defeating the Brave Blossoms 26-3 in an enthralling Rugby World Cup quarter-final in Tokyo.

Japan pulled off a stunning 34-32 triumph over the Springboks in the previous tournament but failed to repeat the trick in their first appearance in the last eight as their dream run on home soil ended.

South Africa captain Siya Kolisi said in the build-up that a 41-7 victory over Jamie Joseph’s side in September provided a measure of revenge, although they secured the ultimate tonic to book a semi-final against Wales.

Makazole Mapimpi scored a hat-trick in the warm-up session and this time touched off FAF de Klerk’s offside try as Japan were penalised for failing to make the most of an impressive first-half display.

After high reaching the quarter-finals, Japan were put down to earth within four minutes when De Klerk fed Mapimpi from a scrum and winged the wind through the challenge of Yu Tamura racing in the left corner.

The Springboks had Tendai Mtawarira sent sin-bin on his 100th test start for a tip-tackle on Keita Inagaki, but a penalty won against poop in the scrum that Tamura slotted between the posts was all Japan had to show for their numerical advantage.

Japan continued to dominate possession and territory as South Africa were restored to full strength, although they failed to capitalise and advance before the break.

Handre Pollard atoned for failing to convert Mapimpi’s Try by splitting the posts with a trio of penalties within 16 minutes of the restart, helping the Springboks edge clear.

Rassie Erasmus’s men were far more disciplined in the second half and moved well out of sight when De Klerk crossed following an unstoppable rolling maul.

Mapimpi put the result beyond doubt with 10 minutes remaining when he parried from Kotaro Matsushima for a second try to keep the Rugby championship winners in the hunt for another trophy.

What a coincidence!

Journey to Japan ends

Victories over Ireland and Scotland – the latter in an incredibly emotional shootout for progression in the Wake of Typhoon Hagibis – provided the hosts with memorable moments they will hope will help continue the development of Rugby in Japan. While they failed to replicate Brighton’s miracle from four years ago, they can be incredibly proud of their displays in 2019.

Sale sharks scrum-half De Klerk dictated play and provided a calming presence for South Africa in a difficult first period littered with error handling. He made some important tackles to keep Brave Blooms at Bay and was rewarded with a well-deserved try in the 66th minute.

The key Opta facts

– Currently, five of the seven Rugby world Cup quarter-finals have been won by South Africa, and at the tournament stage, 71 per cent of them have won only in New Zealand (89 per cent).

– Only eight points were scored in the first half, which is the fewest in a game at this year’s Rugby world Cup.

– Tendai Mtawarira became only the third South African player to be yellow-carded in a Rugby world Cup play-off game, after from Juan Smith (2007) and Brian Habana (2015).

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