As expected, the Springboks ran rampant, scoring eight tries and a penalty try. The opening try for the Boks came from Siya Kolisi after a lineout maul within the first four minutes.

The next ten minutes belonged to Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu, who scored two tries, one of which was his own up-and-under.  A penalty try to the Boks, with Japan once again pulling down a maul, extended the lead to 26-0 at half-time.

Wilco Louw scored his first Test try soon after joining the fray in the second half. The first points to Japan also came in the second half when Yoshitaka Yazaki scored from a quick-tap penalty near the tryline, and flyhalf Seungsin Lee converted his fullback’s try.

‘Arendse scored from a high kick’

The Boks responded in kind as Kurt-Lee Arendse scored from a high kick soon after. Manie Libbok converted, and the lead was 40-7.

André Esterhuizen, who came off the bench to play at flanker, had a try disallowed from a maul, but scored a couple of minutes later. Libbok converted, and the Bok lead surged to 47-7.  

In the 67th minute, Arendse joined the action and scored a converted try from Cheslin Kolbe’s counter-attack. The final try of the night belonged to centre Jesse Kriel. 

‘Erasmus lauded his team’

After the match, Springbok coach Rassie Erasmus lauded his team for their physicality and intensity. “We have to give credit to the whole team. 

“Some of the players have not played for us in a while, such as Gerhard (Steenekamp), Franco (Mostert), Johan (Grobbelaar), André (Esterhuizen) at no 7, and Zachary (Porthen) made his debut.

“And then if one looks at a player like Sacha (Feinberg-Mngomezulu), who scored two tries in the match, he played for us for the SA ‘A’ team (three years ago), and he worked with the coaches on that tour.  Tonight was a wet game against a Japanese team that we had struggled to put away before, and he was physical for a No. 10. 

‘We are in a good position’

“He kicked well, tackled well, and he’s got the magic feel for the game. So, with him, Manie (Libbok) and Handré‚ (Pollard), we are in a good position with flyhalves. 

“Obviously, you can see Sacha is getting more comfortable in the position, but we face France next week and we also have Ireland lined up later on tour, so we always need to make a step up,” said Erasmus. 

“We know what it’s like to play France away from home. The passion, intensity, and atmosphere in which you play there is very different.”

The Boks will travel to Paris on Sunday (2/11) to start their preparations for next Saturday’s match against France at the Stade de France.  

OFM Sport/Ilse Smalberger dg