Amanaki Mafi of Japan tears up as he holds his child following defeat to South Africa. Photo / Getty
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.
日本代表史上初めてのベスト8の舞台。
— ラグビーワールドカップ™ (@rugbyworldcupjp) October 20, 2019
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
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.
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While the score was comprehensive, the Springboks didn't have it all their own way and were forced to fight for every point.
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.
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.
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.
"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.
— Andy McGeady (@andymcgeady) October 20, 2019
You brought more to #RWC2019 than anyone expected.
🇯🇵🇯🇵🇯🇵🇯🇵#JPNvRSA
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.
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.