Springboks Set to Begin End of Year Tour at the place of Their Most Humiliating Loss
The Springboks will kick off their end-of-year tour against Japan at the Brighton Community Stadium – the venue of their most shocking defeat. SIMON BORCHARDT reports.
Japan v South Africa. 1/4 Final, Rugby World Cup 2019. Tokyo Stadium, Japan, Saturday 20 October 2019. © Photo: Andrew Cornaga / www.Photosport.nz
In their opening match of the 2015 World Cup, Heyneke Meyer’s Springboks suffered a 34-32 loss to Eddie Jones’ Brave Blossoms. Karne Hesketh scored the match-winning try in the 84th minute after Japan – then ranked 13th in the world – turned down a penalty goal that would have drawn the game.
The Boks and Brave Blossoms met again twice in 2019, with South Africa winning a World Cup warm-up match in Saitama 41-7 and a quarter-final in Tokyo 26-3 en route to lifting the Webb Ellis Cup.
SARugbymag.co.za understands that this year’s Test in Brighton is scheduled for 1 November, followed by matches against France (8 November), Italy (15 November), Ireland (22 November) and Wales (29 November).
Japan are currently 14th in the world rankings and recently drew a two-match home series 1-1 with Wales. They have been coached by Jones – back for a second stint – since December 2023.
The Springboks will play a total of 14 Tests – and 15 matches including the non-cap clash against the Barbarians – in 2025, a workload that head coach Rassie Erasmus has welcomed.
“We have a tough season, but we need that. We still want to filter players and give others opportunities,” he said in March.
Erasmus has already fielded 46 players in the Boks’ first four matches of the season, including seven debutants.
