Sport

Japan set sights on Scotland after shock win over Springboks

Japan celebrate their stunning victory over South Africa at the Brighton Community Stadium on Saturday<br />Picture: PA
Japan celebrate their stunning victory over South Africa at the Brighton Community Stadium on Saturday
Picture: PA
Japan celebrate their stunning victory over South Africa at the Brighton Community Stadium on Saturday
Picture: PA

JAPAN captain Michael Leitch insists the shocks are not over yet as he set his sights on Scotland.

The Brave Blossoms on Saturday pulled off the greatest upset in Rugby World Cup history when Karne Hesketh's last-gasp try secured a remarkable 34-32 win over mighty South Africa in Brighton. But New Zealand-born Leitch insists the win was no fluke as the build-up begins to their meeting with the Scots in Gloucester on Wednesday.

"We've been training to beat the Springboks for three years, so we are pleased with that effort," he said.

"It's our first World Cup win in 24 years and to beat Springboks is pretty amazing, but now we have Scotland around the corner, so we will focus on that."

Japan's stunning victory, set up by tries from Leitch and Ayumu Goromaru, whose nerveless penalties kept them in touch in the second half before Hesketh's heroics, has left Pool B wide open. And their Australian coach Eddie Jones has also promised that the Asian champions are far from finished yet.

"We're not done - we're here to make the quarter-finals," he said.

"Then I'll retire and go on television like Sir Clive Woodward! I'm too old for this, at 55, I should be in Barbados watching the cricket. But the history has now changed for Japanese rugby."

South Africa managed four tries, through Francois Louw, Bismarck Du Plessis, Lood De Jager and Adriaan Strauss. But they are now licking their wounds ahead of what promises to be a bruising encounter with Samoa at Villa Park on Saturday.

"It was one of those performances where we can't put our finger on why we lost, we were just beaten by the better team on the day," admitted captain Jean De Villiers.

"It was a fantastic day for Japan, but we can't make any excuses. It's not going to get easier against Samoa and, as players, we need to take responsibility."