Brave Blossoms Fall to Rampant Springboks
The Brave Blossoms suffered a heavy defeat at the hands of the Springboks, going down 61-7 at Wembley Stadium in London. In just the fourth meeting between the two sides, the reigning back-to-back World Champions showed their ascendency across virtually every aspect of the match, denying Japan any opportunity to execute on their game plan.
While the final score would have been disappointing for Eddie Jones and his coaching team, they will have been pleased with the 80-minute effort and never-say-die attitude shown by their young charges despite the clinical and unceasing nature of the Springbok attack.
For a 13th ranked Brave Blossoms side with just 382 combined caps, 90 of which come from Michael Leitch, playing the 922 cap, number one ranked Springbok side, it was always going to be a tough day in the office. While the South African’s posted early points, Japan held on through some solid defence to keep the World Champions in sight for the first quarter of the match.
With pressure from the Springboks mounting, ill-discipline started to creep into the Japanese game. As the penalties began to add up, the Brave Blossoms also saw two players go to the bin either side of half time, putting the Japanese defence under even more pressure.
Having already let in 33 unanswered points, 12 minutes into the second half Japan had their brightest moment in the match. After attacking the South African line, Japan were awarded a penalty five meters out from the posts. Spotting the smallest of gaps in the defence and in a brilliant display of heads-up rugby, young fullback Yoshitaka Yazaki took a quick tap and burst over the line to score Japan’s first and only try of the match.
It was just reward for the player from Waseda University who after a mixed performance in the first half stood up as one of Japan’s best. In another positive from the match, debutant hooker Shodai Hirao from Suntory Sungoliath came onto the field with 15 minutes to play and equipped himself well. With the front row being an area of real growth over the last two years, Eddie Jones will be delighted that yet another promising young talent has stepped up to the plate on such a huge occasion.
Commenting immediately after the match, Brave Blossom’s Captain Warner Dearns said:
“It was a tough loss and there will be a few lessons we will have picked up. Obviously, we had a game plan and we couldn’t execute it. That’s going to be the main focus going into the next few games. South Africa are the world champs and a very good rugby team. Today we couldn’t play the way we wanted to play because they are very good at what they do.”
During the post-match press conference, Japan Head Coach Eddie Jones added:
“It was a tough old day. We got beaten in some key areas of the game and any ball we did get, was in a very negative situation and so we struggled to get into the game. It shows that there is a big gap to where South Africa is and where we are. But for this young team, it’s an experience you don’t want to have, but you need to have, to realise how big a gap it is. So now we have to pick ourselves up and get ready for Ireland.”
The Brave Blossoms will now travel to Dublin to face the number three ranked Ireland at Aviva Stadium on Saturday, November 8. Kicking off at 12:40 local time, the match will play at 21:40 JST.
Japan National Team Autumn Match Schedule
Saturday 18 OctoberJAPAN XV vs Australia A (Uncapped)
7-71 (L)
Asahi Super Dry CHALLENGE MATCH 2025
YODOKO Sakura Stadium, Osaka
Friday 24 October
Hong Kong China vs JAPAN XV (Uncapped)
14-59 (W)
Kai Tak Stadium, Hong Kong
Saturday 25 October
Japan vs Australia
15-19 (L)
Lipovitan D Challenge Cup 2025
National Stadium, Tokyo
Saturday 1 November
Kick-off 16:10 local time (01:10 JST – Sunday, November 2)
South Africa vs Japan
61-7 (L)
Lipovitan D Tour 2025
Wembley Stadium, London
Saturday 8 November
Kick-off 12:40 local time (21:40 JST)
Ireland vs Japan
Lipovitan D Tour 2025
Aviva Stadium, Dublin
Saturday 15 November
Kick-off 17:40 local time (02:40 JST – Sunday, November 16)
Wales vs Japan
Lipovitan D Tour 2025
Principality Stadium, Cardiff
Saturday 22 November
Kick-off 16:00 local time (21:00 JST)
Georgia vs Japan
Lipovitan D Tour 2025
Mikheil Meskhi Stadium, Tbilisi