2019 Rugby World Cup – Japan vs South Africa Preview & Prediction
THE FACTS
When is Japan vs South Africa taking place? Sunday 20th October, 2019 – 11:15 (UK)’
Where is Japan vs South Africa taking place? Ajinomoto Stadium, Tokyo
What is the expected weather for Japan vs South Africa? Cloudy, 25c
What television channel is Japan vs South Africa on? This match will be televised live on ITV and this schedule should tell you which channel it is on
Where can I stream Japan vs South Africa? This match can be streamed via the ITV Hub
Where can I get tickets for Japan vs South Africa? https://www.rugbyworldcup.com/tickets
What was the score in the last meeting between Japan and South Africa? Japan 7-41 South Africa
THE TEAM NEWS
JAPAN
- Japan held on despite a Scotland fightback to claim their fourth consecutive win to top Pool A to complete a hugely successful pool stage and the hosts will now look to throw everything at South Africa in their quarter-final clash.
- The Brave Blossoms will compete in the knockout stages for the first time and could name an unchanged side for this contest after they held on so valiantly against the Scots with them defending superbly in the final 10 minutes of the game.
- Japan will be up against it as they face the Springboks but they know they have it in them to beat their opponents with their win at the 2015 RWC still fresh in the memory and they will need to rekindle the spirit they showed that day to complete an unlikely passage to the semi-finals.
SOUTH AFRICA
- South Africa will come into the quarter-finals of the RWC as the highest scoring team of the tournament after another big win over Canada but other than the game against New Zealand in which they were defeated, the Springboks have not faced any real challenge yet.
- The Springboks have injury doubts over scrum-half Herschel Jantjies as well as Cheslin Kolbe and Francois Louw which could cause big disruptions to their side ahead of this last eight contest.
- Such is the worry regarding Jantjies’ hamstring problem, Ruan Pienaar has been placed on standby but head coach Rassie Erasmus has stressed this is just a precautionary measure and he expects his scrum-half along with Kolbe and Louw to overcome their knocks.
THE PREDICTION
Japan have been the story of this RWC and the hosts will hope their journey can continue but they face a mammoth task against South Africa. The Springboks have ran in scores for fun but this will be a tougher test for them and although they should progress, Japan are capable of an upset. They have a nation behind them and have shown that they are no pushovers but if they are to achieve the unthinkable, they will have to defend as well as they did against Ireland and some.
