Japan forced into one change for South Africa World Cup quarter-final as Ryohei Yamanaka starts in Tokyo

Ryohei Yamanaka is Japan's only change from the nail-biting Pool A win over Scotland

AFP via Getty Images

George Flood18 October 2019

Japan head coach Jamie Joseph has made one injury-enforced change to his team to face South Africa in the World Cup quarter-finals on Sunday.

The switch comes at full-back, where Ryohei Yamanaka will start in place of William Tupou, who is not eligible for selection after suffering a concussion during last weekend's dramatic 28-21 victory over Scotland that clinched a maiden last-eight berth for the tournament hosts and top spot in Pool A.

Lomano Lemeki comes onto the bench as back-three cover, while forward duo Wimpie van der Walt and Amanaki Lelei Mafi are also promoted to replacement duty as Uwe Helu and Hendrik Tui drop out of the matchday squad.

Sunday's meeting will be only the third Test between Japan and South Africa.

At the 2015 World Cup, the Brave Blossoms pulled off arguably the biggest shock in rugby union history when Karne Hesketh's last-gasp try secured a stunning 34-32 win that later became known as the 'Miracle of Brighton'.

The two teams met for the second time in a warm-up match in Kumagaya last month, with wing Makazole Mapimpi notching a hat-trick of tries as the Springboks ran out comfortable 41-7 winners.