Sir Clive Woodward: 'Japan's win over South Africa sends message to sporting world'

Sir Clive Woodward has claimed that Japan's shock win over South Africa at the Rugby World Cup has sent a message to the sporting world.

The Brave Blossoms secured only their second ever victory at the tournament by seeing off the two-time champions 34-32 in Brighton on Saturday.

In his Daily Mail column, Woodward wrote: "Japan's win over South Africa, engineered by my old mate and sparring partner Eddie Jones, is the greatest single rugby moment in World Cup history and arguably most important development the modern game has ever seen. To use the technical term it was bloody marvellous.

"It was a performance of breathtaking brilliance and courage and also a coaching coup of thrilling panache and sends out a message to the entire sporting world, not just rugby. Underdogs can become world beaters if you truly believe."

Karne Hesketh scored the winning try in the 85th minute.