Japan head coach Eddie Jones is once again talking about rewriting rugby history — and this time, it’s the Springboks who could be in for a surprise.
A Coach With Unfinished Business
Fresh off a narrow 19-15 loss to Australia in Tokyo, Jones’ Brave Blossoms head to England with renewed fire. The team’s gutsy defensive performance, completing a staggering 96% of 218 tackles, has reignited belief that Japan can stand toe-to-toe with the giants of world rugby.
For Jones, the upcoming clash at Wembley is about more than just redemption — it’s about legacy. “We’re going there thinking we’re going to win,” he said. “South Africa are like everyone, if you put pressure on and get in their face they make mistakes. Imagine beating South Africa at Wembley — that would be iconic.”
The Spirit Of The Brighton Miracle
Jones knows a thing or two about toppling the Springboks. Back in 2015, he masterminded Japan’s unforgettable 34-32 Rugby World Cup victory over South Africa — dubbed the “Brighton Miracle”. That moment changed Japanese rugby forever and inspired a new generation of players who now carry the same fearless energy into 2025.
While the Boks have since reasserted their dominance with emphatic wins in 2019, Jones’ Japan looks and feels different this time around. His squad plays with a tighter structure, greater defensive commitment, and a sense of belief that has been steadily building.
Brave Blossoms Rising Again
“What I’m super pleased about is that now we’re a team that stays in the fight,” Jones explained after the Wallabies clash. “We kept going, we could have won the game in the end but we weren’t quite good enough.”
That resilience has not gone unnoticed. Rugby fans across Japan and beyond have taken to social media to praise the team’s grit and determination. Many are already drawing comparisons to 2015 — wondering if another chapter of rugby folklore is about to be written.
South Africa Beware
The Springboks, currently balancing experience with new blood ahead of their 2025 Test season, will face a Japanese side unafraid to attack their weaknesses. And while South Africa remain heavy favourites, Jones has built his career on defying odds.
For now, Wembley awaits. Ten years after the Brighton Miracle, could the Brave Blossoms be ready to pull off another shock on English soil? If Eddie Jones has his way, history might just repeat itself — this time under the Wembley lights.
Source: SABC Sport
Image Source: Rugby Asia on X
