The Springboks will head into Saturday’s clash as overwhelming favourites against Japan, but they will also be very mindful that any semblance of complacency could run them intro trouble against Eddie Jones’ unpredictable outfit.
Rassie Erasmus has named 16 players in his matchday squad that featured in the team’s 29-27 victory against Argentina in their final Rugby Championship clash earlier this month, which saw them clinch the title for the second year in a row.
Meanwhile, Japan have named a typically exciting team that interestingly includes former Sharks player Tyler Paul on the bench, while Durban-born Dylan Riley starts in the midfield.
The match kicks off at 18:10 (SA time) and will be broadcast live and exclusively on SuperSport.
LIVE SCORING: SPRINGBOKS V JAPAN
South Africa: 15 Cheslin Kolbe, 14 Ethan Hooker, 13 Jesse Kriel, 12 Damian de Allende, 11 Kurt-Lee Arendse, 10 Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu, 9 Cobus Reinach, 8 Jasper Wiese, 7 Franco Mostert, 6 Siya Kolisi, 5 Lood de Jager, 4 RG Snyman, 3 Zachary Porthen, 2 Malcolm Marx, 1 Ox Nche
Replacements: 16 Johan Grobbelaar, 17 Gerhard Steenekamp, 18 Wilco Louw, 19 Ruan Nortje, 20 Andre Esterhuizen, 21 Kwagga Smith, 22 Grant Williams, 23 Manie Libbok
Japan: 15 Yoshitaka Yazaki, 14 Kippei Ishida, 13 Dylan Riley, 12 Charlie Lawrence, 11 Tomoki Osada, 10 Lee Seung-sin, 9 Shinobu Fujiwara, 8 Michael Leitch, 7 Kanji Shimokawa, 6 Ben Gunter, 5 Warner Dearns, 4 Jack Cornelsen, 3 Shuhei Takeuchi, 2 Kenji Sato, 1 Kenta Kobayashi.
Replacements: 16 Shodai Hirao, 17 Ryosuke Iwaihara, 18 Keijiro Tamefusa, 19 Tyler Paul, 20 Faulua Makisi, 21 Kenta Fukuda, 22 Sam Greene, 23 Tiennan Costley.
Date: Saturday, November 1
Venue: Wembley Stadium, London
Kick-off: 18:10 SAST
Referee: Eoghan Cross (Ireland)
Assistant referees: Ben O’Keefe (New Zealand), Adam Leal (England)
TMO: Mike Adamson (Scotland)
<< GRAB YOUR TICKETS FOR JAPAN AT WEMBLEY HERE >>
Stats and facts:
Springbok record against Japan:
Played 3; Won 2; Lost 1; Drawn 0; Points for: 99, Points against: 44; Tries scored 12, Tries conceded 4; Highest score 41-7; Biggest winning margin 34 points. Win % 66.7%.
Miscellaneous:
