SA's shock loss to Japan in 2015 still vivid for boss Erasmus ahead of Wembley clash

South Africa coach Rassie Erasmus can still remember where he was when Japan beat the Springboks in arguably the greatest rugby union upset of all, but insists his focus will be firmly on the present when they face the Cherry Blossoms at Wembley on Saturday.

- 

The Springboks head into this weekend's encounter as back-to-back world champions.

It was a very different story at the 2015 Rugby World Cup in England as Japan's Karne Hesketh crossed for a last-minute try to complete an extraordinary 34-32 comeback win against South Africa in a pool match that became known as the 'Miracle of Brighton'.

Japan had not won a World Cup game since 1991 and yet the Cherry Blossoms, in current coach Eddie Jones's first spell in charge, defied the odds against the then-twice world champions.

More recent history, however, favours South Africa, with Erasmus overseeing a 26-3 quarterfinal win over hosts Japan during the Springboks’ 2019 World Cup triumph.

"I think I can remember where I was, 100 percent (in 2015),” Erasmus, who took charge of the Springboks in 2017, told reporters after naming his side to play Japan on Tuesday.