LONDON – World champion South Africa launched their Autumn Nations Series campaign in emphatic fashion on Saturday, crushing Japan 61-7 in a dominant eight-try performance at Wembley Stadium.
Fly-half Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu was the star of the show for the Springboks, contributing 14 points including two tries as the reigning world champions proved far too strong for Eddie Jones’s Japan side.
The result was a far cry from the famous “Miracle of Brighton” in 2015, when Japan, coached by Jones in his first stint with the Brave Blossoms, stunned South Africa 34-32 in one of rugby’s greatest World Cup upsets.
Captain Siya Kolisi opened the scoring just four minutes in with a try from a driving maul, setting the pattern for a thoroughly one-sided contest. Feinberg-Mngomezulu then crossed twice within five minutes, the second a brilliant solo effort that showcased the 23-year-old’s growing reputation.
“I think the hype around him is not caused by himself,” said South Africa head coach Rassie Erasmus. “He’s very level-headed. He’ll keep on growing and we’ll manage him correctly.”
The Springboks raced to a 19-0 lead at a point-a-minute pace before Japan prop Shuhei Takeuchi was yellow-carded for illegally stopping a driving maul in the 36th minute. Referee Eoghan Cross also awarded a penalty try, leaving the visitors trailing 26-0 at halftime.
Japan’s troubles continued after the break when flanker Ben Gunter received a yellow card for a high tackle on Kolisi. Wilco Louw then scored his first international try following quick hands from Kwagga Smith.
Japan finally got on the scoreboard through full-back Yoshitaka Yazaki, but any hopes of a comeback were quickly extinguished as South Africa responded immediately with tries from Kurt-Lee Arendse and Andre Esterhuizen.
Arendse grabbed his second try with 13 minutes remaining after a brilliant counterattack initiated by Cheslin Kolbe from deep in his own territory. Jesse Kriel completed the rout, with replacement fly-half Manie Libbock converting four second-half tries.
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Erasmus’s Springboks will now travel to Paris to face France next weekend before completing their European tour against Italy, Ireland, and Wales. Japan, coming off a narrow 19-15 defeat to Australia last week, will regroup before facing Ireland, Wales, and Georgia.
The comprehensive victory maintains South Africa’s status as the world’s top-ranked team and sends a strong message ahead of their challenging fixtures against European opposition.
Final Score: South Africa 61-7 Japan
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