'It’s absolute precision, surgical, and it’s another five for South Africa!’ barked Australian commentator Sean Maloney.
Four years after the Boks suffered a historic defeat to Japan, the stars aligned for a rematch between the nations in a 2019 World Cup quarter-final showdown.
Despite a loss to the All Blacks in their opening game, the Boks made light work of a relatively easy pool in the matches that followed, demolishing Namibia, Italy and Canada to secure second soot.
Japan, the host nation, had to navigate a much tougher qualification route but surprised everyone by topping Pool A with four wins in as many matches.
I he hosts brushed aside milder opponents, Russia and Samoa, but reinstated their giant-slayer status with stunning victories over Ireland and Scotland.
With the scene set…
