NZ Herald
  • Home
  • Latest news
  • Herald NOW
  • Video
  • New Zealand
  • Sport
  • World
  • Business
  • Entertainment
  • Podcasts
  • Quizzes
  • Opinion
  • Lifestyle
  • Travel
  • Viva
  • Weather

Subscriptions

  • Herald Premium
  • Viva Premium
  • The Listener
  • BusinessDesk

Sections

  • Latest news
  • New Zealand
    • All New Zealand
    • Crime
    • Politics
    • Education
    • Open Justice
    • Scam Update
  • Herald NOW
  • On The Up
  • World
    • All World
    • Australia
    • Asia
    • UK
    • United States
    • Middle East
    • Europe
    • Pacific
  • Business
    • All Business
    • MarketsSharesCurrencyCommoditiesStock TakesCrypto
    • Markets with Madison
    • Media Insider
    • Business analysis
    • Personal financeKiwiSaverInterest ratesTaxInvestment
    • EconomyInflationGDPOfficial cash rateEmployment
    • Small business
    • Business reportsMood of the BoardroomProject AucklandSustainable business and financeCapital markets reportAgribusiness reportInfrastructure reportDynamic business
    • Deloitte Top 200 Awards
    • CompaniesAged CareAgribusinessAirlinesBanking and financeConstructionEnergyFreight and logisticsHealthcareManufacturingMedia and MarketingRetailTelecommunicationsTourism
  • Opinion
    • All Opinion
    • Analysis
    • Editorials
    • Business analysis
    • Premium opinion
    • Letters to the editor
  • Politics
  • Sport
    • All Sport
    • OlympicsParalympics
    • RugbySuper RugbyNPCAll BlacksBlack FernsRugby sevensSchool rugby
    • CricketBlack CapsWhite Ferns
    • Racing
    • NetballSilver Ferns
    • LeagueWarriorsNRL
    • FootballWellington PhoenixAuckland FCAll WhitesFootball FernsEnglish Premier League
    • GolfNZ Open
    • MotorsportFormula 1
    • Boxing
    • UFC
    • BasketballNBABreakersTall BlacksTall Ferns
    • Tennis
    • Cycling
    • Athletics
    • SailingAmerica's CupSailGP
    • Rowing
  • Lifestyle
    • All Lifestyle
    • Viva - Food, fashion & beauty
    • Society Insider
    • Royals
    • Sex & relationships
    • Food & drinkRecipesRecipe collectionsRestaurant reviewsRestaurant bookings
    • Health & wellbeing
    • Fashion & beauty
    • Pets & animals
    • The Selection - Shop the trendsShop fashionShop beautyShop entertainmentShop giftsShop home & living
    • Milford's Investing Place
  • Entertainment
    • All Entertainment
    • TV
    • MoviesMovie reviews
    • MusicMusic reviews
    • BooksBook reviews
    • Culture
    • ReviewsBook reviewsMovie reviewsMusic reviewsRestaurant reviews
  • Travel
    • All Travel
    • News
    • New ZealandNorthlandAucklandWellingtonCanterburyOtago / QueenstownNelson-TasmanBest NZ beaches
    • International travelAustraliaPacific IslandsEuropeUKUSAAfricaAsia
    • Rail holidays
    • Cruise holidays
    • Ski holidays
    • Luxury travel
    • Adventure travel
  • Kāhu Māori news
  • Environment
    • All Environment
    • Our Green Future
  • Talanoa Pacific news
  • Property
    • All Property
    • Property Insider
    • Interest rates tracker
    • Residential property listings
    • Commercial property listings
  • Health
  • Technology
    • All Technology
    • AI
    • Social media
  • Rural
    • All Rural
    • Dairy farming
    • Sheep & beef farming
    • Horticulture
    • Animal health
    • Rural business
    • Rural life
    • Rural technology
    • Opinion
    • Audio & podcasts
  • Weather forecasts
    • All Weather forecasts
    • Kaitaia
    • Whangārei
    • Dargaville
    • Auckland
    • Thames
    • Tauranga
    • Hamilton
    • Whakatāne
    • Rotorua
    • Tokoroa
    • Te Kuiti
    • Taumaranui
    • Taupō
    • Gisborne
    • New Plymouth
    • Napier
    • Hastings
    • Dannevirke
    • Whanganui
    • Palmerston North
    • Levin
    • Paraparaumu
    • Masterton
    • Wellington
    • Motueka
    • Nelson
    • Blenheim
    • Westport
    • Reefton
    • Kaikōura
    • Greymouth
    • Hokitika
    • Christchurch
    • Ashburton
    • Timaru
    • Wānaka
    • Oamaru
    • Queenstown
    • Dunedin
    • Gore
    • Invercargill
  • Meet the journalists
  • Promotions & competitions
  • OneRoof property listings
  • Driven car news

Puzzles & Quizzes

  • Puzzles
    • All Puzzles
    • Sudoku
    • Code Cracker
    • Crosswords
    • Cryptic crossword
    • Wordsearch
  • Quizzes
    • All Quizzes
    • Morning quiz
    • Afternoon quiz
    • Sports quiz

Regions

  • Northland
    • All Northland
    • Far North
    • Kaitaia
    • Kerikeri
    • Kaikohe
    • Bay of Islands
    • Whangarei
    • Dargaville
    • Kaipara
    • Mangawhai
  • Auckland
  • Waikato
    • All Waikato
    • Hamilton
    • Coromandel & Hauraki
    • Matamata & Piako
    • Cambridge
    • Te Awamutu
    • Tokoroa & South Waikato
    • Taupō & Tūrangi
  • Bay of Plenty
    • All Bay of Plenty
    • Katikati
    • Tauranga
    • Mount Maunganui
    • Pāpāmoa
    • Te Puke
    • Whakatāne
  • Rotorua
  • Hawke's Bay
    • All Hawke's Bay
    • Napier
    • Hastings
    • Havelock North
    • Central Hawke's Bay
    • Wairoa
  • Taranaki
    • All Taranaki
    • Stratford
    • New Plymouth
    • Hāwera
  • Manawatū - Whanganui
    • All Manawatū - Whanganui
    • Whanganui
    • Palmerston North
    • Manawatū
    • Tararua
    • Horowhenua
  • Wellington
    • All Wellington
    • Kapiti
    • Wairarapa
    • Upper Hutt
    • Lower Hutt
  • Nelson & Tasman
    • All Nelson & Tasman
    • Motueka
    • Nelson
    • Tasman
  • Marlborough
  • West Coast
  • Canterbury
    • All Canterbury
    • Kaikōura
    • Christchurch
    • Ashburton
    • Timaru
  • Otago
    • All Otago
    • Oamaru
    • Dunedin
    • Balclutha
    • Alexandra
    • Queenstown
    • Wanaka
  • Southland
    • All Southland
    • Invercargill
    • Gore
    • Stewart Island
  • Gisborne

Media

  • Video
    • All Video
    • NZ news video
    • Herald NOW
    • Business news video
    • Politics news video
    • Sport video
    • World news video
    • Lifestyle video
    • Entertainment video
    • Travel video
    • Markets with Madison
    • Kea Kids news
  • Podcasts
    • All Podcasts
    • The Front Page
    • On the Tiles
    • Ask me Anything
    • The Little Things
  • Cartoons
  • Photo galleries
  • Today's Paper - E-editions
  • Photo sales
  • Classifieds

NZME Network

  • Advertise with NZME
  • OneRoof
  • Driven Car Guide
  • BusinessDesk
  • Newstalk ZB
  • Sunlive
  • ZM
  • The Hits
  • Coast
  • Radio Hauraki
  • The Alternative Commentary Collective
  • Gold
  • Flava
  • iHeart Radio
  • Hokonui
  • Radio Wanaka
  • iHeartCountry New Zealand
  • Restaurant Hub
  • NZME Events

SubscribeSign In
Advertisement
Advertise with NZME.
Home / Sport / Rugby / Rugby World Cup

2019 Rugby World Cup: Japan lose to South Africa in heartbreaking scenes

By Andrew McMurtry of news.com.au
news.com.au·
20 Oct, 2019 08:30 PM6 mins to read

Subscribe to listen

Access to Herald Premium articles require a Premium subscription. Subscribe now to listen.
Already a subscriber?  Sign in here

Listening to articles is free for open-access content—explore other articles or learn more about text-to-speech.
‌
Save

    Share this article

Amanaki Mafi of Japan tears up as he holds his child following defeat to South Africa. Photo / Getty

Amanaki Mafi of Japan tears up as he holds his child following defeat to South Africa. Photo / Getty

Advertisement
Advertise with NZME.

Japan's Rugby World Cup fairytale has been extinguished by a rampaging South African side as the Springboks booked a place in the tournament's semi-final with a 26-3 victory.

The host nation had shocked the world by going through its pool undefeated to become the first Asian team to make the Rugby World Cup quarterfinals.

With incredible support from around the country, Japan were the sentimental favourites going up against the might of the two-time World Champions.

The match began with incredible scenes as Japanese fly half Yutaka Nagare was in tears before the game.

Advertisement
Advertise with NZME.
Advertisement
Advertise with NZME.

日本代表史上初めてのベスト8の舞台。
国歌斉唱と共にこみ上げてくるものがあります。@ngrytk9 #RWC2019 #JPNvRSA #RWC東京 pic.twitter.com/SgFCKqKtSm

— ラグビーワールドカップ™ (@rugbyworldcupjp) October 20, 2019

The opening of the match appeared to have the Japanese side overawed for their first World Cup quarterfinal appearance as South Africa's Makazole Mapimpi crossed in the corner.

The early 5-0 lead could have spooked Japan but the Brave Blossoms lived up to their name, fighting hard against their much more fancied rivals.

READ MORE:
• 2019 Rugby World Cup: World media react to Japan loss to Springboks
• 2019 Rugby World Cup: World media react to controversial Wales v France quarter-final result
• 2019 Rugby World Cup: Springboks end Japan's dream run with dominant quarter-final win
• 2019 Rugby World Cup: Wallabies coach Michael Cheika quits, Quade Cooper puts boot in

While the score was comprehensive, the Springboks didn't have it all their own way and were forced to fight for every point.

Advertisement
Advertise with NZME.

But second half penalties and two late tries gave South Africa the win.

Emotional scenes as Japan players embrace each other after tough quarter-final loss against South Africa#JPNvRSA #RWC2019 #WebbEllisCup pic.twitter.com/RfU8PqUS9h

— Rugby World Cup (@rugbyworldcup) October 20, 2019

Springboks captain Siya Kolisi said his side expected nothing more than Japan to give their all.

"Honestly, it was exactly what we expected," Kolisi said. "We knew what Michael Leitch and his boys were going to bring. They said they were coming for us and for our set-piece ... But credit to my boys, we ground it out. Thanks to this amazing crowd, you should really be proud of your team. They play a style that's fearless."

It was hard to take for Japan with the emotion spilling over for the players.

Discover more

Rugby World Cup

The run is over: Springboks clinically end Japan's fairytale

20 Oct 12:20 PM
Rugby World Cup

'Should've been red card': World media react to Japan loss to Boks

21 Oct 12:40 AM
Rugby World Cup

UK expert: How England can beat All Blacks

20 Oct 05:36 PM
Rugby World Cup

Cheika's brutal final shot at Kiwi boss after quitting

20 Oct 07:00 PM
A Japan player reacts to their quarter-final loss. Photo / AP
A Japan player reacts to their quarter-final loss. Photo / AP
Japan's Fumiaki Tanaka, center, cries after their loss to South Africa. Photo / AP
Japan's Fumiaki Tanaka, center, cries after their loss to South Africa. Photo / AP
Japan's Yutaka Nagare. Photo / AP
Japan's Yutaka Nagare. Photo / AP
Amanaki Mafi of Japan tears up as he holds his child following defeat to South Africa. Photo / Getty
Amanaki Mafi of Japan tears up as he holds his child following defeat to South Africa. Photo / Getty

Coach Jamie Joseph summed up the feelings best. "We're really proud with what we've achieved at the World Cup," he said. "I'm just disappointed for the players because they give so much to the group and they give so much to the country."

Japan finishes the World Cup sitting eighth in the world following the loss, after going into the game at a record high of sixth, one position ahead of the Wallabies.

The final quarterfinal was a hard slog with the first half ending 5-3.

While there were divisive calls, a decisive performance from referee Wayne Barnes ensured the focus stayed on the game.

A straight yellow card for South African prop Tendai Mtawarira appeared controversial after a tip tackle almost ended up horribly wrong.

YELLOW CARD! The Beast apologizes but that doesn't save him from the card.#beINRWC #RWC2019 #JPNvRSA pic.twitter.com/cgoRP2s2Ej

— beIN SPORTS (@beINSPORTS_EN) October 20, 2019

The commentators labelled it "ugly" immediately but it was quickly resolved.

Advertisement
Advertise with NZME.

While some felt Mtawarira or "The Beast" was lucky, it didn't take away from the match.

Right, in the ground that looked like a red card. He landed on his head. Was television different? #JPNvRSA

— Karl Brophy (@KarlBrophy) October 20, 2019

It was a match that had both sides riding their luck however.

A call just before the end of the half, the Springboks were denied a try as Damian de Allende was denied a try after he was deemed to have been tackled and then continued to run.

Wallabies legend Phil Kearns said "that's a try every day of the week" but conceded that the world was behind Japan.

Justin Harrison said it was a flip of a coin but it was good to see a referee make a decision.

Former England star Stu Barnes agreed, especially with a tip tackle sending South African prop Tendai Mtawarira to the sin bin.

Advertisement
Advertise with NZME.

"The yellow card for The Beast, clear tip, you know how it is now, it's a lottery," he said. "I could not believe he didn't check, it was so close to being simultaneous head and neck. But if it went to TMO, it would have been what everyone was talking about, was it red or not but because he was decisive, we've sort of moved on from it."

Kearns said it's something that is worth changing after but shouldn't have changed during the event.

The first half was widely praised with social media as Japan stayed with the might of South Africa.

Unfortunately, the second half was all South Africa as the Springboks ground the Brave Blossoms out of the game.

Three penalty goals for Handre Pollard have the Springboks the 14-3 lead before the Springboks rolling maul did the job, putting scrum half Faf de Klerk over to all but ice the game at 21-3 with 14 minutes left in the game.

Heartbreaking to see Japan crashing out like this, but what an achievement it was to reach the QF in the first place. Only way for them to get better is to be given regular tier 1 competition #JPNvRSA

— Alfred Joyner (@alfredjoyner) October 20, 2019

Arigatou, Japan. It was beautiful while it lasted. But Sprinkbok brutality wrecks the #RWC2019 party this time. #JPNvRSA

— Nicholas Hogg (@nicholas_hogg) October 20, 2019

It just wasn’t to be for the #BraveBlossoms but a great campaign by #Japan. Exceeded everyone’s expecatations. The future is bright. ☀️ 🏉 #RWC19 #RugbyWorldCup #JPNvRSA

— Dave in Osaka (@DaveInOsaka) October 20, 2019

THANK YOU JAPAN.

You brought more to #RWC2019 than anyone expected.

🇯🇵🇯🇵🇯🇵🇯🇵#JPNvRSA

— Andy McGeady (@andymcgeady) October 20, 2019

A very entertaining game. RSA were the better team on the day but JPN have been the team of the tournament. They have left a legacy that will truly be remembered forever! Thank you #BraveBlossoms! 👏🏾👏🏾 #JPNvRSA #RWC2019

— Maggie Alphonsi MBE (@MaggieAlphonsi) October 20, 2019

For the Springboks, the side are chasing a third World Cup title after their lifted the Webb Ellis Cup in 1995 and 2007.

Advertisement
Advertise with NZME.

The side are hopeful the "rule of 12" trend continues in 2019, as the side prepare to play Wales, with the winner to face either New Zealand or England.

Save

    Share this article

Latest from Rugby World Cup

New Zealand

Watch Live : Scott Robertson live with Jason Pine

New Zealand

'Never felt so alone': Foster lifts lid on battles with NZ Rugby bosses

17 Jun 05:00 PM
Premium
Black Ferns

Woodman-Wickliffe on babies, books, broadcasting and King’s Birthday honour

02 Jun 03:00 AM

From early mornings to easy living

sponsored
Advertisement
Advertise with NZME.

Latest from Rugby World Cup

Watch Live : Scott Robertson live with Jason Pine

Watch Live : Scott Robertson live with Jason Pine

Scott Robertson joins Jason Pine in the Newstalk ZB studio to talk all the big Rugby issues.

'Never felt so alone':  Foster lifts lid on battles with NZ Rugby bosses

'Never felt so alone': Foster lifts lid on battles with NZ Rugby bosses

17 Jun 05:00 PM
Premium
Woodman-Wickliffe on babies, books, broadcasting and King’s Birthday honour

Woodman-Wickliffe on babies, books, broadcasting and King’s Birthday honour

02 Jun 03:00 AM
‘Major failures’: French oversight costs Rugby World Cup $57m

‘Major failures’: French oversight costs Rugby World Cup $57m

08 Apr 06:15 PM
Solar bat monitors uncover secrets of Auckland’s night sky
sponsored

Solar bat monitors uncover secrets of Auckland’s night sky

NZ Herald
  • About NZ Herald
  • Meet the journalists
  • Newsletters
  • Classifieds
  • Help & support
  • Contact us
  • House rules
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms of use
  • Competition terms & conditions
  • Our use of AI
Subscriber Services
  • NZ Herald e-editions
  • Daily puzzles & quizzes
  • Manage your digital subscription
  • Manage your print subscription
  • Subscribe to the NZ Herald newspaper
  • Subscribe to Herald Premium
  • Gift a subscription
  • Subscriber FAQs
  • Subscription terms & conditions
  • Promotions and subscriber benefits
NZME Network
  • The New Zealand Herald
  • The Northland Age
  • The Northern Advocate
  • Waikato Herald
  • Bay of Plenty Times
  • Rotorua Daily Post
  • Hawke's Bay Today
  • Whanganui Chronicle
  • Viva
  • NZ Listener
  • Newstalk ZB
  • BusinessDesk
  • OneRoof
  • Driven Car Guide
  • iHeart Radio
  • Restaurant Hub
NZME
  • About NZME
  • NZME careers
  • Advertise with NZME
  • Digital self-service advertising
  • Book your classified ad
  • Photo sales
  • NZME Events
  • © Copyright 2025 NZME Publishing Limited
TOP