Brave Blossoms stun Springboks into submission
The Springboks suffered a shock defeat to Japan in their opening Rugby World Cup match.
The Springboks suffered a humiliating 34-32 defeat to Japan on Saturday 19 September.
Japan drew first blood with a penalty slotted by Ayumu Goromaru in the seventh minute. The Springboks responded ten minutes later with a try from Francois Louw, off a driving maul.
Japan then hit back with a driving maul of their own to take score to 7-10 in their favour.
The score going into half-time was 12-10 to the Boks, with Bismarck du Plessis crossing the whitewash in the 33rd minute.
Despite the Springboks enjoying the lion’s share of possession and territory, the Brave Blossoms were phenomenal on defence, making more than double the amount of tackles of their opponents.
With 20 minutes to play, scores were level at 22-22, but replacement Bok hooker Adriaan Strauss crashed over for a bonus point try.
Japan then went on to score once more in the 68th minute, and capitalised on a yellow card to prop Coenie Oosthuizen, going to touch and searching for the winning try.
The winning moment came in the 84th as Karne Hesketh went over in the corner to take the scores to 32-34.
Springboks drop opening match to Japan, losing 34-32. Well done to @JRFURugby with historic win. #RWC2015
— Springboks (@Springboks) September 19, 2015
Japan could have taken the draw & become heroes... Instead they chose to become legends! #DreamBIG #RSAvJPN #RWC2015 pic.twitter.com/ldsytJqcO7
— Brent Janse van Vuuren (@BrentJvV) September 19, 2015
This photo speaks a thousand words, all of which are my reason to love rugby! #Rugbyunited #RWC2015 pic.twitter.com/VBkxgX2aSg
— #rugbyengland (@RugbyEng) September 19, 2015
#RSAvJPN #RugbyWorldCup You couldn't write this...
— J.K. Rowling (@jk_rowling) September 19, 2015
The hashtag #StrongerThanTheBoks started trending on Twitter shortly after the final whistle was blown.
HomoNaledi's brain-power #StrongerThanTheBoks
— Sihle Mtshali (@Sihle_Mtshali) September 19, 2015
#DonaldTrump's hairpiece glue is #STrongerThanTheBoks
— Algarvian Brexile 🇪🇺 🇵🇹🇿🇦 (@PlanetZuma) September 19, 2015
Chances of Ever Seeing White People on Khumbul'ekhaya #StrongerThanTheBoks
— H.M Smith (@Stoute_SA) September 19, 2015
