Can the brave blossoms repeat their Springboks victory from a decade ago?
Since the speculation of the Japan Brave Blossoms Test against the Springboks in England surfaced back in July.
Since the speculation of the Japan Brave Blossoms Test against the Springboks in England surfaced back in July, it was one for the rugby romantics as it will mark a decade since the Japanese toppled the giants of rugby 34-32 in one of the biggest upsets in the sport.
The game will not be played in Brighton but the iconic Wembley Stadium will host Japan against the world champions on Saturday 1st November, in a month of international Test rugby before the Rugby World Cup 2027 draw.
This is the first rugby event at Wembley since 2016 and only the fourth meeting between South Africa and Japan. The Springboks won the last two encounters before and during RWC 2019 in Japan.
The Japanese have yet to announce their final line-up and come into this match after nearly upsetting the Wallabies in Tokyo last weekend.
The Boks head coach Rassie Erasmus announced his team on a Tuesday again and selected a debutant in former Junior Springbok captain Zachary Porthen.
The South Africa Rugby Union confirmed he will become the youngest prop to make his Test debut for the Springboks in the professional era.
Erasmus said Porthen proved himself at Vodacom United Rugby Championship level and with the Junior Springboks, and that this Test is the right opportunity for him.
Compared to Japan's relative test inexperience, the Boks' total Test caps in the starting XV are 781. The squad remains settled, with continuity from their title-clinching Rugby Championship campaign.
