Japan's Kenki Fukuoka scores their fourth try REUTERS/Kevin Coombs
Japan's Kenki Fukuoka scores their fourth try REUTERS/Kevin Coombs

Home » Japan Faces South Africa Next After Beating Scotland to Advance to 1st World Cup Quarter-Final

Japan Faces South Africa Next After Beating Scotland to Advance to 1st World Cup Quarter-Final

YOKOHAMA, Japan – Winger Kenki Fukuoka produced two pieces of individual brilliance as a high-paced Japan advanced to the Rugby World Cup quarter-finals – where they’ll face South Africa next weekend – for the first time with a 28-21 victory over Scotland at Yokohama on Sunday. The win ensured Japan finished top of Pool A […]

By Reuters
13-10-19 15:35
in Fab South African Stuff
Japan's Kenki Fukuoka scores their fourth try REUTERS/Kevin Coombs
Japan's Kenki Fukuoka scores their fourth try REUTERS/Kevin Coombs

YOKOHAMA, Japan – Winger Kenki Fukuoka produced two pieces of individual brilliance as a high-paced Japan advanced to the Rugby World Cup quarter-finals – where they’ll face South Africa next weekend – for the first time with a 28-21 victory over Scotland at Yokohama on Sunday.

Japan's Kenki Fukuoka scores their fourth try REUTERS/Kevin Coombs
Japan’s Kenki Fukuoka scores their fourth try REUTERS/Kevin Coombs

The win ensured Japan finished top of Pool A and will face Pool B runners-up South Africa in Tokyo next Sunday, with Ireland facing Pool B winners New Zealand on the same ground next Saturday.

It’s fantastic news for the Japanese who have suffered a terrible typhoon this weekend.

Fukuoka scored tries either side of halftime as the tournament hosts were roared on by a sea of red and white jersey-wearing fans at Yokohama Stadium with a frenetic attacking game and ferocious defence.

Loosehead prop Keita Inagaki and Kotaro Matsushima also scored tries for the tournament hosts, who had to withstand a furious finish by Scotland as they battled back from 28-7 down with 30 minutes remaining.

(Reporting by Greg Stutchbury; Editing by Toby Davis)