South Africa avoided another major defeat to the Brave Blossoms. The hosts having been the top qualifiers from Pool A had grabbed the attention of the world of rugby. However, the Semi Finals were beyond their reach as they were unpicked by the South Africans. The Japanese had kicked 47%, however it was not there game control that was impressive but their fitness and speed of attacking. Controlling ball against Ireland with 7 more platforms Japan announced intention. Backing up the performance against Scotland by kicking less and preventing their attack. The words of Jamie Joseph rang true through their performance, that they had been preparing for 2 years, whilst Scotland and Ireland had been preparing for the previous week.
South Africa however found it relatively easy to roll the Japanese team. Their superior size and physicality kept Japan pinned back. Despite having a less varied game plan they steam rolled their way into the Semi Finals.
They started well, the try from Mapimpi requiring a little work after a poor tackle from Tamura, hence it not being worth covering here. The SA defence, however to stop Japan in and around the 14th minute summed up the game. An outstanding effort was made by Japan but eventually it was cut down and turned over by SA.
The move starts with a Japanese break down the wing, through Fukuoka. As opposed to the All Blacks kicking strategy, Japan shifted the ball through their hands. The ball reaching Fukuoka unopposed after the blitzing bokke defence is unable to cut off the Japanese attack.
He manages to round Kolbe, and then regain his feet, protecting the ball in the break down. This simple extra measure, is usually used to gain ground but this time it is merely an extra level of security and allows Japan to play ball away faster.
The ball is spread from the ruck in the 15m channel. The Japanese line is slightly disorganized but it is able to partially exploit a second opening a symptom of the quick ruck speed. While Japan doesn’t risk the wide ball, wanting to secure momentum and almost going through the centre of the bok defence. They then follow up the partial break by Tamura crashing up. This perhaps gives SA a partial bit of respite.
The Japanese then try a little more deception and play an inside ball near the line. However there is no change in direction. This makes it easier for SA to adapt and keep folding, the proof being Vermuleun’s thunderous tackle.This stops Japanese momentum and acts as a partial damn to the red and white river.
Japan then try and restart. They continue to use two man clearing to great effect. With them changing direction but still managing to get support. However, they then try play slightly to quickly. Unable to get a second man in support and turn over the ball. The Japanese support overruns the break down slightly sliding over the top, enabling De Allande to step in and anchor over the ball. This gives South Africa a penalty and a chance to clear their lines.
The South Africans then went close through a transition attack in the 33rd minute. However they bombed a clear chance. With Am unable to expose a 3 on 1. Following this, Damian De Allande went over in the 41st minute, only for the half to end for a double movement from him in the build up to him crossing of the line.
The beauty of the performance comes from their ability to turn the screw, especially in the second half. They just pinned Japan back and didn’t let them escape. Japan started possession 7 more times in their own half, than in the SA half. However the key is not where Japan started attacks, but the fact that SA started 5 attacks in their own 22, with Japan starting 11 in their own 22. This shows how hard they struggled to escape the South African stranglehold.
So whilst SA converted many more chances, this came not as a result of incredible attack but instead the eventual telling of pressure. Japan made gains 23.4% of the time, compared to a SA score of 32.6%. This general statistics while it lacks a degree of empathy, for the ability to break, the South African ability to keep them pinned back and just absorb the pressure as illustrated through De Allande’s turnover shows the strength of the Springbok side. The springbok performance was by no means a finished product but was a warning shot to the rest of the competition as they saw of Japan with relative ease.
The Analysis Guy 