Japan 7 South Africa 61
A dark, wet evening in Brent is a long way from the sun and sea of Brighton. And, boy, there were not many echoes here of rugby’s greatest upset – quite possibly sport’s – bar the names of the teams and the inimitable fellow sitting in Japan’s coaching box, Eddie Jones. South Africa were 43-point favourites in 2015 and a mere 37 this time, but the reality of lopsided rugby was all too formidably asserted.
Instead it was Wembley that echoed, the lower tier around two-thirds full. South Africa, nine of whose squad play club rugby in Japan, wanted to organise this run-out to bring together their squad from around the world before the big one next weekend against France.
Continue Reading on The Irish Times
This preview shows approximately 15% of the article. Read the full story on the publisher's website to support quality journalism.