Springbok assistant coach Jerry Flannery says the Boks are bracing for a fired-up Japanese side eager to repeat history when the teams clash at Wembley on Saturday, the opening Test of South Africa’s gruelling five-week European tour.
The Brave Blossoms beat South Africa 34–32 in their first match of pool play at the 2015 Rugby World Cup in Brighton in England. At the time it was described as the “greatest Rugby World Cup shock ever”.
@EddieJonesRugby has declared his current squad “better than the 2015 side” that stunned the rugby world in the ‘Miracle of Brighton’, when Japan famously toppled the Boks at the World Cup.https://t.co/AlSUYliIBo via @RugbyWorldCup
— Adnaan Mohamed (@Adnaan1111) October 28, 2025
With stops in Paris, Turin, Dublin, and Cardiff to follow, the Boks are kicking off what Flannery likened to a “mini–World Cup”, facing fresh opposition each week.
“Japan showed resilience in the first half despite picking up yellow cards, and they showed how well they can defend against one of the best attacking teams,” said Flannery.
“Australia scored six tries against us in the first game in the Rugby Championship, so we are aware that Japan are not just a good attacking side.
“They can defend well too, and in the last quarter, they came back into the game. They would be disappointed that they didn’t win.”
Japan, smarting from a 19-15 defeat to the Wallabies, will arrive in London hungry and dangerous, and Flannery knows it.
“I’m expecting that Eddie [Jones] will be building up his team all week and they’ll believe that they can win and rewrite history by beating the Boks at Wembley,” he said.
“We need to ensure that we are as well prepared as we can be.”
Jones has already turned up the heat, boldly declaring his current squad “better than the 2015 side” that stunned the rugby world in the ‘Miracle of Brighton’, when Japan famously toppled the Boks at the World Cup.
Flannery, the Bok defence guru, believes that controlling the team’s rhythm after the Rugby Championship remains a key priority, keeping the game plan tight and composed rather than loose and frantic.
And while the road ahead is long, the Irishman sees opportunity in the challenge.
“It’s a great challenge for us,” Flannery said.
“For this tour, we have five different opponents from week to week. That’s how the World Cup will work as well, with a short turnaround between matches, so your ability to stay mentally fresh and keep bringing energy all the time will be good for us.”
As the Boks prepare to charge out under the Wembley lights, they know the Brave Blossoms won’t be mere spectators.
The men from the Land of the Rising Sun are champing at the bit, ready to test South Africa’s mettle in a match that promises sparks, steel, and perhaps another chapter in rugby folklore.
Kick-off is at 4:10pm.
Feature Photo: Eddie Jones : Stormers
Brave Blossoms Boss Eddie Jones Brief Bio
On 29 October 2023, Jones resigned as coach of Australia.
In December 2023, the Japan Rugby Football Union announced the re-appointment of Jones as head coach of the Brave Blossoms.
