BRIGHTON, UK — September 19, 2015 is a day that will live long in the memory of rugby fans after Japan caused the greatest upset in Rugby World Cup history.
For those fortunate enough to witness proceedings at the Brighton Community Stadium, the moment that 29,000 fans stood to applaud the heroic Japan players will never be forgotten.
Eddie Jones’ men were less Brave Blossoms, more inspirational force on a day when every point scored was met with the deafening clamour of support for both teams.
#JPN have beaten #RSA 34-32 – the biggest World Cup upset in history surely. #RWC2015 https://t.co/IapJGdtCzm
— Sport360° (@Sport360) September 19, 2015
With the sun shining brightly and a sea of green and gold South Africa shirts lining the short walk from the stadium to the ground, the stage was set for a landslide victory for the third-ranked team in the world heading into the match.
“You have to feel sorry for Japan drawing the ‘Boks first, this could get ugly,” one confident South Africa fan told Sport360, echoing the sentiments of many others around him.
Japanese supporters were noticeably fewer in number but no less colourful, with a significant amount of garish kimonos adding to the sense of occasion in the Pool B opener.
Two hours until kick off Brighton has turned into a sea of green and gold as #RSA fans pile in for #RWC2015 https://t.co/qV0kfiFnfW
— Sport360° (@Sport360) September 19, 2015
Inside the stadium, there was no question who the neutrals were backing. Sports fans love an underdog and Japan enjoyed a raucous following.
South Africa made a powerful start to the match but could not find the clinical finishing touch needed to convert possession into points. It was a theme that continued into the second half and a sense of frustration started to build among the legions of South Africans as arms started flailing and fingers pointing in disgust at the team’s inability to break down Japan.
As the match wore on, Japan showed no sign of letting their intensity drop and cheers of bemusement quickly turned to roars of belief as the crowd began to sense something special was unfolding. Both sets of supporters continued to will their team forward with one South African gentleman letting his anguish get the better of him, mistakenly showering those around him with his beverage as the metronomic Ayumu Goromaru knocked over another score-levelling penalty.
Today's front page: Japan pull off the biggest shock in Rugby World Cup history with victory over Springboks goo.gl/kks5t6
Posted by Sport 360 on Saturday, 19 September 2015
The vuvuzelas began to sound like a wounded Springboks as Japan turned down a late shot at a penalty in a valiant and ultimately successful attempt to win the match. At the final whistle, tears flowed from the faces of overjoyed Japan fans and to their credit the Springbok supporters stood and applauded a team that simply outplayed South Africa on the day.
The Japanese had taken the world of rugby by storm and won a place in everyone’s hearts with their passionate and determined display.
Springboks coach Heyneke Meyer apologises to the nation of #RSA #RWC2015 @AndrewBinner http://t.co/lOnpF8Zmzp pic.twitter.com/FGKN6pLLQW
— Sport360° (@Sport360) September 20, 2015
When the Brighton stadium was announced as a World Cup venue eyebrows were raised in purist rugby circles due to the perceived lack of rugby pedigree in the area.
However the modern 29,000 seat structure proved a fitting backdrop to this magnificent occasion, its wave-like structure and rounded corners of the stands ensured that every decibel of sound was locked in. As the match reached crescendo, it felt more like there were 60,000 packed into the ground.
With such high-quality action both on and off the pitch, the bar has been set for England and Wales 2015. Rugby fans are in for an enthralling six weeks.
