Winners & Losers: Japan v South Africa

Winners & Losers: Japan v South Africa

The Springboks were full value for their comprehensive 7-41 victory over Japan in their final Rugby World Cup warm up match on Friday as they ran in six tries, three of which going to winger Makazole Mapimpi.

Here are our winners and losers from the encounter.

Losers: Amanaki Mafi & Kenki Fukuoka

Jamie Joseph looked on concerned as two of his key players for the World Cup limped off injured. Mafi lasted 45 minutes while Fukuoka's night was cut short just four minutes into the game.


Mafi maybe a bigger concern for Japan with his immediate successor Kazuki Himeno deemed not ready to feature against the Springboks due to injury.

Winner: Willie Le Roux


The Springbok fullback has not quite hit the highs that he did in 2018 for the Springboks this year, but he looks to have rediscovered his form with a strong all-round game that should keep his critics at bay.

Le Roux claimed to try assists, the first of which he leapt superbly into the air before putting Mapimpi away for his first try before throwing a great long pass for the winger's second.


Loser: Sbu Nkosi

Unfortunately for Nkosi, he is a loser today having not even touched the match ball.

Sbu Nkosi was sublime for the Springboks during the Rugby Championship, when he did get his chance, however, Cheslin Kolbe seems to have sewn up that right-wing jersey for the World Cup.

Another stellar game from Kolbe on the right-wing paired with a lethal game on the left from Mapimpi will likely see Nkosi watch the Springboks opener against the All Blacks from the stands.

There has been calls for either Kolbe or Nkosi to start on the left wing in place of Mapimpi but it will be hard for Rassie Erasmus to drop the inform Mapimpi after today's showing.



Winner: Siya Kolisi

Before today's fixture, the Springbok captain had just 53 minutes of test match rugby under his belt in 2019.

He managed a strong 65 minutes against Japan making 13 tackles, 3 turnovers and 2 carries before leaving the pitch still looking relatively fresh.

As it stands Kolisi does look fit and raring to go against the All Blacks.

Winners: The Japanese crowd

If today's clash was any indication, this will be a very special World Cup in Japan.

The stadium was starting to fill up long before the game was set to kick off with some fans seated well over an hour before kick-off and they were in full spirit dispute their side suffering a heavy defeat.

The packed stadium was also completely silent for both kickers and even joined in to sing both anthems.




Loser: Trevor Nyakane

Trevor Nyakane has been pushing for a regular spot in the Springbok starting line up all year and had yet another opportunity to stake his claim comming off the bench early in the second half, however his game was cut short after just 13 minutes with what looked like serious injury.

Nyakane is pivotal for the Boks during the World Cup as he covers both loosehead and tighthead.



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