That was then, this is now: 10 years after that shocking defeat

It's worth reflecting on what the Springboks' 34-32 loss to Japan at the 2015 Rugby World Cup has meant for South African rugby since then. By Jon Cardinelli

- By Jon Cardinelli

A decade has passed since the “miracle of Brighton”, a seismic event that will be remembered as South African rugby’s darkest day, as well as a turning point for the local game.

You had to be at the Amex Stadium in Brighton, England, during the final moments of the 2015 World Cup pool B opener to appreciate the significance and consequence of Japan’s monumental win against the Springboks. With time running out, Japan had the chance to kick for goal and level the scores. Captain Michael Leitch, however, sensed that a greater opportunity was in the offing.

By that stage, all 30,000 fans were on their feet, and in that final passage of play, it felt like every one of them was willing the Brave Blossoms over the try line. When replacement winger Karne Hesketh scored the match winner, the crowd celebrated as if Japan had won the World Cup itself.

Afterwards, the contrasting reactions of the teams served to highlight the impact of the result. Japan boss Eddie Jones, who was part of the management team when the Boks won the 2007 World Cup, described it as his finest achievement in rugby.

Opposite number Heyneke Meyer was in shock, and lock Lood de Jager - who, ironically, was one of the standout players in Brighton - delivered his post-match verdict while choking back the tears.

On the morning that the players and management staff packed a bus bound for Heathrow Airport, Meyer held an informal press conference in the lobby of the team hotel and made an alarming set of predictions. Self-serving franchises and poor conditioning standards had cost the Boks in the lead-up to the 2015 World Cup, but according to Meyer, the worst was yet to come.

Allister Coetzee replaced Meyer in 2016, but the complacency entrenched in South African rugby persisted. The national team continued to spiral, suffering an inaugural loss to Italy as well as record-breaking defeats to the All Blacks, Ireland and Wales.