Japan v Springboks

[Lizard]

This deserves its own fred.

SA have, predictably, named a 1st XV with 13 changes to the run-on XV from their last pool game:

15 Willie le Roux
14 Cheslin Kolbe
13 Lukhanyo Am
12 Damian de Allende
11 Makazole Mapimpi
10 Handre Pollard
9 Faf de Klerk
8 Duane Vermeulen
7 Pieter-Steph du Toit
6 Siya Kolisi (captain)
5 Lood de Jager
4 Eben Etzebeth
3 Frans Malherbe
2 Bongi Mbonambi
1 Tendai Mtawarira

16 Malcolm Marx
17 Steven Kitshoff
18 Vincent Koch
19 RG Snyman
20 Franco Mostert
21 Francois Louw
22 Herschel Jantjies
23 Frans Steyn

If Japan score first, Tokyo will erupt.

[switchskier]

6-2 split on the bench. Guess what SA's tactics are going to be?

[Lizard]

6-2 split on the bench. Guess what SA's tactics are going to be?

Bosh bosh boshity bosh bosh. Then bosh some more.

[Digby]

I cannot see Japan winning this. Fatigue and pressure got to them as the Scotland match wore on, and now they need to get back up to take on the most physical team going. The best chance for Japan is maybe SA are starting what looks their weaker front row, maybe that gives Japan a way into the game and with the emotion (and crowd) going there way SA are apt to panic

[Mikey Brown]

The crowd are going to be massive in this one. I feel like SA are susceptible to that pressure.

Don’t dare try and ask me why I think that though.

[paddy no 11]

Japan are going to rinse mapimpi, and attack the blindside all day, unfortunately the boks are going to trundle over them for large parts, mbonambi to get a couple off the maul

[Digby]

Japan are so structured SA should be able to work out which players they need to put on the ground and hold there to slow Japans ball at the next or following phase again.

[cashead]

Heart says Japan, head says South Africa.

[Lizard]

Heart says Japan, head says South Africa.

This. So much.

[cashead]

At the very least, Japan won't be pushovers, and we shouldn't forget that Jamie Joseph is a hell of a coach. I just can't help but feel that a semifinal will be a bridge too far for Japan.

[Mellsblue]

Heart says Japan, head says South Africa.

This. So much.

Thirded. I expect SA to wrestle them into submission.

[Lizard]

Three down, one to go.

Will it be a smashing like the first two, or an arm-wrestle like the third?

[bruce]

Hope I'm wrong but can't see the Boks losing this.

[bruce]

Poor defence by 10

[Lizard]

Oh dear.

[hugh_woatmeigh]

Simple one on one tackle missed.

[Donny osmond]

Presumably the japan 10 was on his own on the blindside as his tackling is shit they hoped sa would go open?

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[Lizard]

Presumably the japan 10 was on his own on the blindside as his tackling is shit they hoped sa would go open?

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Yep

[Lizard]

Much more kicking than we've seen from Japan before.

[switchskier]

Much more kicking than we've seen from Japan before.

Finding space behind the rush though. Looks very deliberate. Given 6 forwards on the bench can't see Japan running the legs off this big pack so they'll have to turn them

[bruce]

Oh beast could be in trouble

[bruce]

Oh beast could be in trouble

Lucky only a yellow

[Lizard]

Much more kicking than we've seen from Japan before.

Finding space behind the rush though. Looks very deliberate. Given 6 forwards on the bench can't see Japan running the legs off this big pack so they'll have to turn them

No doubt a plan to counter the blitz, which has been effective.

Beast should have got red, for that.

[Donny osmond]

Surely thats a red?

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[Donny osmond]

Ball bouncing japans way at the minute but they need to be more accurate

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