Japan have made history by reaching the quarter-finals of the Rugby World Cup following their famous win over Scotland.
The home nation have outdone themselves again and have now secured their place in the history books.
The home nation reached the quarter-finals for the first time with a hard fought 28-21 win over a resilient Scotland side.
They will face a tough opposition in South Africa whom they have World Cup history with.
It was four years ago and in the last World Cup in England where Japan pulled arguably the World Cup’s biggest upset in beating the Springboks in the group stages.
This win was the platform for Japan as a rugby nation to achieve what they have to this date.
The game against Scotland hung in the balanced with typhoon Hagibis in full swing.
But with Scotland threatening legal action, the governing body decided to go ahead with what turned out to be arguably the game of the tournament so far.
The Japanese players will go into the quarter-final against a physical South Africa side as clear underdogs.
However, they are not to be underestimated.
With a ferociously fast-passing style and experienced leaders such as Michael Leitch, they are sure to make it a competitive game.
Japan have been the forefront of sporting shocks and miracles. With that historic win four years ago, followed by the magical win over Ireland in this tournament.
Now a completely new challenge awaits them as they head into uncharted territory with a quarterfinal clash with the weight of a nation’s support on their shoulders.
(Pic by Jean-François Beauséjour under Creative Commons License)
