Japan vs South Africa (Springboks)
2019 Rugby World Cup quarter final
Venue: Ajinomoto Stadium
Date: Sunday, 20 October, 2019
Kick-off: 11.15am BST
The 2019 Rugby World Cup quarter-finals continue as Wales and France meet in this all-northern hemisphere knockout tie at Oita Stadium.
This is just the second time the sides have played each other at a Rugby World Cup. The only previous meeting was the 2011 semi-final in Auckland where France edged a tight game 9-8.
The French went on to lose the final by a single point to the All Blacks and, in doing so, suffered their third defeat in a World Cup final.
The semi-finals is the closest Wales have been to the Webb Ellis Cup having also lost at the same stage to a rampant New Zealand in 1987.
Sunday will be the 98th clash between these fiercely proud nations. In recent years, Wales have had the measure of France, winning seven of the last eight encounters. But the agony of 2011 has not been forgotten.
Former player and current backs coach Stephen Jones insists the heartbreak of eight years ago can act as motivation for the current squad.
In their last meeting – a Six Nations fixture eight months ago – Warren Gatland’s men fought back from 16-0 down at the interval to win 24-19. A victory that set the Welsh on course towards an eventual Grand Slam.
Simple but effective tactics has led to consistent performances. The Welsh have been as solid as a stick of Porthcawl rock so far in this competition, but they will need to step it up a gear.
Wales came through a testing second half against the Wallabies and completed the group stages with a perfect record. Japan are the only other side who won all four of their pool matches.
Jacques Brunel’s France managed three wins out of three but their final group game against England was cancelled due to typhoon Hagibis.
Despite qualifying from the ‘pool of death’ in second place – they collected fewer bonus points than England – results do not tell the whole story.
France laboured through the pool stage and were guilty of letting substantial leads slip against Argentina and Tonga. They probably could have done with the run-out against England as preparation for this step up in quality.
France are capable. They have some superb individual talent. They enjoy a broken field and will be looking to capitalise on loose play. Wales will know the dangers. But they will also know that France look disorganised and short of fitness. Then, there is the in-fighting.
It just wouldn’t be a major sporting event without rumours of a French mutiny. Media reports last week that captain Guilhem Guirado had fallen out with coaches Jacques Brunel and Fabien Galthie were, how you say? Typique.
However, as strange as it is, fractiousness does seem to have a galvanising affect on Les Blues.
The Welsh are favourites to win but the French are happy to play the underdogs, few sides rise to an occasion better.
Jamie Joseph also makes two changes to the bench with forwards Wimpie van der Walt and Amanaki Lelei Mafi replacing Uwe Helu and Hendrik Tui.
Rassie Erasmus had rotated his squad through the pool stage to ensure his players all had game time before the knockout stages but has settled on the same matchday squad that crushed Italy 49-3.
South Africa’s key man Kolbe has returned from an ankle injury. Kolbe scored twice against Italy but was kept out of the Springboks’ final Pool B match against Canada as a precaution to ensure he was ready for the quarters.
South Africa defeated Japan 41-7 in a World Cup warm-up match in September and their power and big-game experience should see them ease through as comfortable winners.
It would be incredible to see the hosts keep the dream alive, but the Springboks should prove one step too far.
Rassie Erasmus had rotated his squad through the pool stage to ensure his players all had game time before the knockout stages but has settled on the same matchday squad that crushed Italy 49-3.
South Africa’s key man Kolbe has returned from an ankle injury. Kolbe scored twice against Italy but was kept out of the Springboks’ final Pool B match against Canada as a precaution to ensure he was ready for the quarters.
South Africa defeated Japan 41-7 in a World Cup warm-up match in September and their power and big-game experience should see them ease through as comfortable winners.
It would be incredible to see the hosts keep the dream alive, but the Springboks should prove one step too far.
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