Paul among foreign legion to power Japan against Springboks

THEY will all be wearing the red and white of the Brave Blossoms today against the Springboks, but as many as nine players in the Japanese squad were born outside of the Land of the Rising Sun.

- MIKE GREENAWAY

The Boks will face four Australians, three New Zealanders, and two South Africans, including former Sharks lock/ flank Tyler Paul, while former Durbanite Dylan Riley will start at outside centre.

Riley forms a midfield partnership with chunky Kiwi Charlie Lawrence.

The Japan team is captained by New Zealand-born lock Warner Dearns, who combines in the second row with Australian Jack Cornelsen.

The massive 120kg, 1.95m Ben Gunter will be on the flank. While he was born in Thailand, Gunter was raised in Brisbane.

Fellow Australians on the bench are former Australia Under-20 lock Tiennan Costley and former Queensland Reds fullback Sam Greene.