Live Commentary: South Africa 32-34 Japan - as it happened

Good afternoon! Two-time world champions South Africa begin their campaign at the 2015 Rugby World Cup shortly against 2019 hosts Japan. Sports Mole's Pascal Lemesre is in Brighton to bring us all the latest from the stadium, but first, let's start with a reminder of the team news.

SOUTH AFRICA STARTING XV: Mtawarira, B du Plessis, J du Plessis, De Jager, Matfield, Louw, Du Toit, Burger, Pienaar, Lambie, Mvovo, De Villiers, Kriel, Habana, Kirchner

JAPAN STARTING XV: Mikami, Horie, Hatakeyama, Thompson, H Ono, Leitch, Broadhurst, Tui, Tanaka, K Ono, Matsushima, Tatekawa, Sa'u, Yamada, Goromaru

So, there's been a late change for the Sprinboks as forward Willem Alberts injured his calf earlier, so Pieter-Steph du Toit takes his place in the starting lineup. Jean de Villiers has had a fitness battle after overcoming a knee injury, fractures jaw and reports of a flu virus to captain the side.

Pascal Lemesre looks ahead to the match from Brighton:

"Experience is the order of the day at The Amex, with a total of 1454 Test caps between the two sides. South Africa are of course favourites, but they come into this World Cup having lost all of their matches at the recent Rugby Championship. Are the Springboks a little past it?

"They've never lost a World Cup opener, though, and should have far too much for Japan, who have only ever won once at the tournament. The Japanese are going for the second quarter-final place from Pool B and an encouraging showing on the South coast today is needed ahead of more-winnable games to come."

Here's the scene in Brighton as kickoff approaches:

Our view for #RSA vs. #JPN - the Pool B opener of #RWC2015 pic.twitter.com/jTCFPu38On — Sports Mole (@SportsMole) September 19, 2015

Ahead of this match, south Africa captain Jean de Villiers told reporters: "I am very proud to be the captain of a special bunch of guys. Not only are they special as players but they are also good people. It is great to go into battle with guys you enjoy spending time with. All of the 31 players in the squad appreciate that not everyone is going to get a game at the World Cup but contribute nevertheless to the atmosphere."

Meanwhile, Japan coach Eddie Jones said at his pre-match press conference:" It's David vs. Goliath. They've got the greatest winning record in world cup history, a massive physical team with experience. We've got the least winning record at the World Cup, and we're the smallest team in the World Cup. But for us, we have the most experienced Japanese team. It's a great opportunity for us, we're looking forward to it."

It looks like the fans attending this afternoon's match have been enjoying their day on the south coast:

#RSAvJPN is about to start in Brighton and the Fanzone in Madeira Drive has been gearing up for kick-off all day pic.twitter.com/vmlMZ4yn1l — Rugby World Cup (@rugbyworldcup) September 19, 2015

This is the third of four matches taking place in the Rugby World Cup today. If you've missed any of our coverage from Georgia's shock win over Tonga, or Ireland's thrashing of Canada, you can find all our coverage on our dedicated Rugby World Cup page.

The players line up in the tunnel and make their way out ready for kickoff. It looks like it's a pretty even split of support in the stadium for both teams. The anthems of both countries will be played before kickoff.

Right then, it's almost time for kickoff. We're already seen one surprise today with Georgia beating Tonga, can Japan cause another? We'll find out over the next 80 minutes.

KICKOFF! Patrick Lambie kicks off for South Africa.

Zane Kircher looks to set up something for the Springboks early on, with the full-back using some flashy footwork to weaves past a couple of the Japan forwards before handing the ball off to Bryan Habana, but Japan manage to get the turnover.

Japan are under pressure at the back again as Tendai Mtawarira uses his strength while looking for the try line, but Japan get the ball back, allowing Tanaka to boot it away for a lineout.

Du Toit, who was a last minute inclusion in the South Africa team, spills the ball, giving Japan the scrum. The opening five minutes have been played almost exclusively in Japan territory, but they're defending well against the two-time champions.

Japan go on the attack for the first time, with Tatekawa going up the middle before passing to Tui. Goromaru looks to get a pass out wide to Yamada, but is floored by his opposite number, with Kirchner halting the Japan full-back's run. The 2019 host nation have a penalty though.

Goromaru takes a couple of moments to dust himself down after the tackle from Kirchner before going for the posts. He splits the uprights with ease though, putting Japan ahead early on against South Africa.

MISSED PENALTY! Japan seem to be boosted by their opening penalty, and quickly move the ball into South Africa territory again with a string of swiftly-completed passes. They settle for an attempt at the posts again, but this time Goromaru's finish curls a bit too must, finishing just outside the left upright.

Pascal Lemesre reports from The Amex:

"The noise at The Amex is unbelievable! I was here for a football game last season and it's incomparable! To my right is a load of Japan supporters and they are loving this start. Despite that missed kick, Goromaru is making a good impression on his World Cup debut."

Japan have seen all the possession since opening the scoring, as Tatekawa charges towards the South Africa 22 again. Kirchner gets another crunching tackle in, forcing Japan to kick it forward. They have the lineout, but De Jager times his jump to perfection to steal possession for the Springboks.

Jean de Villiers's fitness has been tested in the early stages of this match, but the captain's had plenty of touches and taken a couple of tackles and seems to be holding up. He passes out wide to Habana, before Bidmarck du Plessis loses the ball, before Kirchner gets it back. South Africa are starting to look pretty dangerous.

De Villiers has the ball again, getting the Springboks within a couple of metres of the try line before passing to Louw, and the driving maul takes it over to give Louw his sixth international try.

Pascal Lemesre provides an update from The Amex following the opening try:

"Chants of Bokke! (clap, clap, clap), Bokke! inspired that strong drive to the line which showcased the pure power of the South African frontline. What a way to mark his first World Cup start for Louw. How many more times will the Springboks use drives like that to score today?"

Bismarck du Plessis is on the move, before Lambie arrives in support. Du Toit moves it a few feet lcoser to the try line, before a Pinaar lunge for the line falls just short.

NO TRY! Schalk Burger offloads it to Bismarck du Plessis after big brother Jannie du Plessis falls short, but the hooker can't keep control throughout the grounding, so the referee, who is making his world cup debut in this match, can't award it. Japan will have the scrum.

Japan manage to get the ball back in South Africa following a dominant spell from the Springboks. They manage to force a lineout just a few metres from the try line.

NO TRY! South Africa had one disallowed a couple of minutes, and now Japan have missed out as Hendrik Tui tries to reach to for the line following the lineout. South Africa have men back to hold him up though, and he grounds the ball just short.

Having come inches short a few moments earlier, Japan make the most of a second chance, getting 12 men in the driving maul to get across the line, giving the captain the try.

He's loving it. #JPN delighting The Amex here. #RWC2015 pic.twitter.com/nlq3taihfn — Pascal Lemesre (@_PascalDL) September 19, 2015

South Africa respond immediately after falling behind. They play Japan at their own game with a rolling maul to the line, resulting in Bismarck du Plessis leaping over the top for his side's second try of the evening.

MISSED CONVERSION! Lambie can't add the extra points with the Springboks though, as the fly-half's conversion is sliced just wide. South Africa already have the ball back in Japan territory though, clearly hoping to extend their lead further before half time.

Zane Kirchner puts the ball out to give Japan a lineout inside their own half, before the Springboks concede a scrum. Tanaka can only kick it straight back to Kirchner though.

Burger tosses the ball out wide for Lambie, before Kirchner attempts to sprint through a gap, with South Africa threatening again in the final seconds of the first half. Jannie du Plessis takes it over to the left, before Burger works it back across the other side, but Japan are just about holding on.

Japan just about survive a strong finish to the opening 40 minutes from South Africa, with Goromaru kicking it into touch to leave Japan just two points adrift at half time.

South Africa have been conservative at times, but have shown flashes of brilliance, responded well both times Japan edged in front. Japan have been excellent though, making some superb tackles, while using their lineouts and mauls well.
© Getty Images

In seven previous appearances at the Rugby World Cup, and 24 matches, Japan have only ever won one match, beating Zimbabwe during the 1991 tournament in Belfast. Although South Africa have options on the bench should they need to strengthen the team, Japan will surely be eyeing the upset at this stage.

Japan have clearly come a long way in the last 20 years:

A little historical context: #JPN were 84-3 down at half-time when they lost to #NZL in 1995 #RWC #improvement pic.twitter.com/K5hkH6SPkH

— Rugby World Cup (@rugbyworldcup) September 19, 2015

Pascal Lemesre watched the first half at The Amex for Sports Mole:

"Well, that was fun wasn't it? Japan had been tipped to maybe cause the Springboks a few problems but no-one saw this coming. South Africa's form coming into the tournament wasn't great and they're doing little to suggest that they are a true contender for a third World Cup title this year. Big half coming up for the men in green."

The players are starting to head back out ready for the second half. Can Japan pull off what would be the biggest upset in Rugby World Cup history? Or will South Africa rediscover the level that saw them lift the trophy eight years ago? We'll find out in the next 40 minutes.

RESTART! Japan get the second half underway in Brighton.

It takes just seconds for South Africa to make their first mistake of the second half as Patrick Lambie shanks a kick out from the back, giving Japan a lineout inside South Africa territory. He tries to laugh it off, but that's the kind of error that could cost his side dearly during such a close match.

Tendai Mtawarira is penalised for an offside, allowing Ayumu Goromaru to restore Japan's lead with his second successful penalty of the match.

Just like when South Africa fell behind in the first half, it takes the Springboks just moments to respond, as the 6'9" Lodewyk de Jager sprints away from the Japanese defence to canter over in between the posts.

Japan are trying to get back into South Africa territory, with Leitch and Tanaka trying to find a way through for the team, but Bismarck du Plessis is like a brick wall, making block after block, although he's eventually penalised for not rolling away after bringing Yamada down.

Japan go for the posts after Bismarck du Plessis's mistake, allowing Ayumu Goromaru to boot the ball straight through the middle, leaving Japan just a further penalty adrift. It's certainly been a lively start to the second half!

Pascal Lemesre provides an update from The Amex:

"De Jager drove through too easily for that South African try, but that was one of very few mistakes made by Japan. Remember, if the Brave Blossoms lose by seven points or fewer, they'll earn a bonus point - something no-one was expecting from the Pool B opener."

Japan are awarded another penalty after trying to break quickly from a scrum, but there could be more trouble for the Springboks, as the referee is asking for a second look at a high tackle from Burger on Yamada. Japan are going for the posts first though.

Goromaru makes it three from three since the restart as he splits the upright again. The referee appears to have just had a casual word with Schalk Burger as well for a high tackle, the number eight will have to be careful now that the officials have got their eye on him, as a sin-binning could really cost South Africa.

Lambie has not been asked to kick too often so far this evening, but his comfortable makes a 40m kick to restore South Africa's lead after Mtawarira is tackled late. Japan are soon on the move in South Africa territory though.

Leitch and Matsushima both have touches as Japan look for their season try of the game, but Schalk Burger is chasing down everything to make sure South Africa keep their opponents out.

It's been a sublime kicking display from Ayumu Goromaru in the second half as he makes his fourth penalty from as many attempts since the restart, slicing it right through the middle from 40m out.

Goromaru tries to get Japan into a position to go for another try, chipping the ball forward towards Yamada, but there's just a little too much on the kick, and it goes into touch.

Having come off the bench earlier in the second half for his World Cup debut, Adriaan Strauss is across for his sixth international try. He sidesteps Matsushima before racing towards the line.

Handre Pollard takes over kicking duties for the Springboks, and he makes a strong start with a successful conversion. South Africa are trying to put extend their lead before Japan have chance to respond with another powerful run, this time from Trevor Nyakane, but Japan force the ball into touch.

Pascal Lemesre reports from The Amex:

"There's the Springboks' bonus point, but they might not get the other four for the win if Japan have anything left and can pull off one of the biggest World Cup shocks ever."

Japan know that they need to score next to stop South Africa making it comfortable in the last 10 minutes. Leitch make a run to get the team back into South Africa territory, before Hendrik Tui takes it up down the right flank.

What a run from Ayumu Goromaru! It's a simple but excellently executed move from the full-back, who has been just sensational in this second half, running diagonally from the middle to take it over in the corner. He had too much pace for the chasing Springboks to catch.

Goromaru has no time to celebrate his try as he has to take the conversion, but he just squeezes the ball inside the right upright to level the scores again. What a final 10 minutes this is going to be.

As they have done almost every time Japan have scored, South Africa are soon back on the attack, trying to finally break their opponents' spirit. Handre Pollard, who has some of the freshest legs on the Springboks side after coming off the bench in the second half, tries to sprint away, but he's brought down just short. Nyakane also has a chance to power over, but the referee calls it back for the penalty.

Pascal Lemesre continues to follow the action in Brighton for Sports Mole:

"Boos from the Japan supporters as South Africa elect to kick, giving themselves a three-point lead with not long left. What a try from Goromaru that was - surely an early contender for try of the tournament!"

Japan knock on trying to respond. They use all of their weight in the scrum to try and win the ball back in Springbok territory, but Burger manages to get the ball for the two-time champions.

Japan do manage to get the ball back and their resiliently charging at the South Africa defence again. Hiwasa and Tatekawa both carry the ball, with the latter moving it inside the South Africa 22.

Shinya Makabe gets his head down and drives into Du Plessis, trying to ram the ball over the line. Takeshi Kizu tries to power it over, but he's held short by Coenraad Oosthuizen.

SIN BIN! The referee wasn't happy with Oosthuizen's involvement, so he's finishing the match off the pitch.

Japan have the penalty, and could go for the posts to level it, but they want the win, so Kizui prepares to take the lineout.

TRY? The Japan maul crosses the try line, and the team appeal for the try. There are bodies all over the place, and the ball is nowhere to be seen, so the referee refers it to the TMO.

The TMO can't see the ball at all, so it has to be a Japan scrum. This will surely be their final chance to snatch the unlikeliest of wins.

Fourie de Preez gets in the way as Hiwasa tries to get the ball out from the scrum, giving Japan a penalty. They could kick for the posts to take a draw, but they still want the win, so it's another scrum.

Finally, they get the ball out, Leitch makes the first dive for the try line, but he's tackled short. Japan keep the ball alive though.

What on Earth has just happened?! South Africa make a string of tackles to stop Japan sneaking down the right, but Mafi quickly gets it across the middle to Karne Hesketh, setting the replacement up for a leap over in the corner. South Africa depserately try to force him into touch, but the effort is in vain.

MISSED CONVERSION! Goromaru misses the conversion. He probably doesn't care too much!

Pascal Lemesre has a full-time update from The Amex:

"Well, well, well! I can say that I was there for maybe the greatest World Cup shock ever. South Africa were 43 point favourites at the start of the match but they were deservedly beaten by a fearless, electric Japanese outfit. Have I just watched the best game of the tournament already? Incredible!"

The Japan players are still making their way around the stadium, applauding all the Japanese fans and neutrals on a lap of honour. South Africa will face Samoa in their next match, who on paper should provide an even sterner test. Pool B has surely been smashed wide open this evening.

So, that's all from our live coverage of this match, but Pascal will be sticking around at The Amex to hear from the players, so check back throughout the evening for plenty of reaction to this match. There is still another fixture to come today, with our build up for France's game against Italy getting underway shortly. Thanks for joining me this evening. Goodbye.
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