Japan made one of the greatest displays of the tournament to claim a bonus point win over Scotland in their final pool game, getting the first side to generate the knock-out stages of the world cup and securing top place.
Their brand of rugby has been a breath of fresh air, with handling and skills. Its no surprise to see Jamie Joseph stick with the same XV which contains the wing duo of Kenki Fukuoka and Kotaro Matsushima — that their game up using Makazole Mapimpi and Cheslin Kolbe is.
Following an opening round defeat to New Zealand, the Springboks had little trouble in dispatching Namibia, Canada and Italy. With large man after big man hitting on the line coach Rassie Erasmus has gone for a squad, including six forwards on the bench in an effort to sap the power of Japan.
One of the greatest players of South Africa of this pool platform was hooker Bongi Mbonambi, who has conquered out Malcom Marx to win the job. The Stormers man scored three tries in the group point on the rear of this Boks exceptionally successful driving maul.
Looking at the size of the South African audience if they get within 10 metres of the Japanese lineup they will look to use the maul as a statement of intent and Mbonambi is going to be the guy at the back — in 11/1 hed be my bet at the first tryscorer industry.
My second wager for this match is South Africa to win by 11-20 points. Both sides met just before the beginning of the competition together with all the Boks winning 41-7.
While I dont expect that match to have much bearing on the outcome of Sunday, I believe well observe a reasonably comfortable win for the Boks. Japan have been the story of the tournament, but they are facing a very different beast.
Having a strong game and also a very physical seat I think the Boks will pull away in the final 20 minutes and add some gloss to the scoreboard.
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