FT | RWC warm-up: Japan 7-41 Springboks

*** THANKS ***

Thanks for joining Sport24 today. Be sure to bookmark our Rugby World Cup section for the very best daily news, opinion, fixtures, results and logs from the tournament in Japan!

MATCH REPORT

NEXT UP...

Japan will open the 2019 Rugby World Cup in exactly two weeks against Russia, while the Springboks' next assignment is against the All Blacks on Saturday, September 21 in what should be a mouth-watering clash.

GOOD FIRST 40, SCRAPPY SECOND HALF

The Boks will be happy with their first half effort, but will need to relook at their second half performance, despite running in a couple of late tries which blew out the scoreline and flattered the visitors somewhat.

REVENGE!

That puts the 4-year heartache of Brighton 2015 to bed in emphatic fashion.

CONVERSION IS ... GOOD!

Steyn converts to wrap up victory for the Springboks.

THAT MAN JANTJIES!

No stopping Herschel Jantjies who scores for 14-man South Africa.

LAST 3 MINUTES

Time's almost up.

OH DEAR

Wicked bounce of the ball sees Japan denied a near-certain second five-pointer as it bounces into touch with Japan on attack.

KOLBE GETS A DOUBLE

With Japan on attack, a wayward pass sees Cheslin Kolbe intercept and sprint 70m to score his second of the match.

Frans Steyn converts from in front.

MORE MISTAKES

Mistakes in the Boks' game continue as Japan attack as the clock ticks past the 70-minute mark

BAD START

Frans Steyn and Herschel Jantjies struggling to have much impact after their introductions to the match.

Aimless kicking and knock-ons the order of the day thus far.

SCRAPPY

The Test has turned a little scrappy as kicks go out on the full (De Allende) and penalties are conceded (Jantjies)

SO CLOSE

Pieter-Steph du Toit very nearly intercepts in his 50th Test.

The try was on for all money!

NYAKANE OFF

Replacement Trevor Nyakane limps off having come on as a substitute not long ago. Some sort of leg complaint.

Frans Malherbe re-enters the field of play.

FANS IN GOOD VOICE

Thrilled by their team's try, the Japanese crowd begin a Mexican Wave

DID YOU KNOW ... ?

Kotaro Matsushima was in fact born in Pretoria!

CONVERSION IS ... GOOD!

Yu Tamura converts the try

CONVERSION IS ... MISSED

Poor miss it must be said by Pollard

That's THREE tries now for flying wing Makazole Mapimpi as he burns the defence down the far left-hand touchline

RELENTLESS

Japan pound away at the Boks' tryline, up to phase 14 now, but Kolisi turns the ball over and SA win a penalty.

Impressive stuff by SA

DEFENCE WINS WORLD CUPS

And the Boks are showing that in spades today as they repel wave after wave of Japanese attack

LINEOUT

Japan slow things down and set up a lineout 5m from the Springboks' tryline as No 8 Amanaki Mafi  limps off

PENALTIES MOUNT

Referee Berry have a word with skipper Siya Kolisi as the penalty tally mounts against the visitors

STRONG START

Japan look full of exterprise early in the second stanza as they drive forward in search of their first points

CHANGES

Japan have made half-time changes to their front-row and lock pairing

READY TO RUMBLE!

The second half is about to get under way

LAST CHANCE OF THE HALF

Japan win a penalty but elect to set up a lineout as the HT hooter sounds