Japan confirms Springboks game at Wembley on 1 November

The Japan Rugby Football Union has confirmed a long-rumoured Test match against back-to-back world champions South Africa at London’s iconic Wembley Stadium on Saturday 1 November.

Eddie Jones’ team, who beat Wales in their opening summer test to record their first win over a Tier one nation since 2019, are currently preparing for their Pacific Nations Cup opener against Canada in Sendai next week.

The Brave Blossoms lost last year’s final on home soil against Fiji and will be aiming to go one better this season before turning their attention to an intense Autumn Series schedule.

Following a Japan XV fixture against Australia A at Osaka’s Yodoko Sakura Stadium in Osaka on Saturday 18 October, their first-choice team will host Australia at Tokyo’s National Stadium on 25 October.

Captain Michael Leitch’s team will kick-off their Lipovitan D Tour against the Springboks at Wembley Stadium after the anticipated fixture was rubber-stamped by both unions today.

The 1 November clash will mark the 10-year anniversary of the Brave Blossoms’ stunning 2015 World Cup upset over South Africa which was masterminded by Eddie Jones who returned to the role in 2023 following the World Cup.

Japan’s famed last-gasp victory sent shockwaves through the sport and prompted a film depiction, The Brighton Miracle, and paved the way for the 2019 World Cup hosts to make the leap to being recognised as a Tier one nation.

RugbyJP understands that members of the Springboks camp were aware of the internal plans for the game since May.

Speaking about the possibility of the South Africa fixture being confirmed at a media briefing a week ago in Tokyo, Jones told RugbyJP: "Every time you get an opportunity to play the best team in the world you have to take it. If it happens it’s a wonderful opportunity to benchmark ourselves. They’ve mastered the power game. It’s a clash of styles.”

In the Springboks' press release, Jones said: “The game in Brighton 10 years ago changed rugby in Japan from being a minor sport to a boom sport.

“Playing against the Boks is the dream of every young Japanese player.”

South Africa’s head coach Rassie Erasmus said: “The Brave Blossoms are renowned for playing fast, attacking, high-tempo rugby – which has been prevalent in our last two encounters, before and during the Rugby World Cup in Japan in 2019.” 

Japan's Dylan Riley, Ben Gunter and Jack Cornelsen are poised to go up against their Saitama Wild Knights teammates Damian de Allende and lock Lood de Jager while Suntory Sungoliath star Cheslin Kolbe could face Yokohama wing Kippei Ishida who Jones has billed as the 'next Kolbe'.

Jones’ side will continue their tour against Ireland at Dublin’s Aviva Stadium on Saturday 8 November before a trip to Cardiff to face Steve Tandy’s Wales at the Principality Stadium seven days later.

Japan will conclude their tour in Georgia, who they lost to 23-25 in Sendai last year, on Saturday 22 November at a venue that is yet to be confirmed.

Picture courtesy of JRLO

Stay tuned to RugbyJP.com for coverage of the Pacific Nations Cup and the Autumn Nations Series