Fans were crying at the full time whistle after witnessing Japan pull off one of the biggest shocks in Rugby World Cup history.
This try, scored by Karne Hesketh outside of regulation time, saw the Asian nation leave the Brighton Community Stadium as 34-32 victors over South Africa.
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Japan were not just expected to lose to South Africa, they were fancied to be trounced by the Springboks, who are two-time champions in this famous competition.
Prior to today, Japan had only won one World Cup match – a 52-8 victory over Zimbabwe in 1991.
Even a draw would have been considered a miraculous result for Japan, but they displayed incredible bravery in the dying stages by snubbing multiple opportunities to kick for a goal which would have levelled the scores.
That bravery was reward in spades as Hesketh powered over in the corner in the 84th minute to make the Japanese bench – and many supporters in the crowd – tearful with joy.
Japan trailed 29-22 with 18 minutes of the contest left, as Adriaan Strauss touched down to score South Africa’s fourth try of the night, adding to earlier efforts from Francois Louw, Bismarck du Plessis and Lodewyk de Jager.
Ayumu Goromaru then scored the try of the game, which was converted to tie things up at 29-29.
A Handre Pollard penalty split the posts to put South Africa back in front with seven minutes remaining, but Japan’s persistence and dominance in the scrum saw them fight back to register a result which has made the world sit up and take note.
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