Boks bury the ghosts of Brighton with a power-packed performance in Japan

A hat-trick by Makazole Mapimpi propelled South Africa to a comfortable 41-7 victory over Japan in their final World Cup warm-up match in Kumagaya on Friday.

Winger Cheslin Kolbe opened the scoring with a neat finish on seven minutes, before Mapimpi ran in two easy tries from the other flank on 24 and 31 minutes as the Springboks built a 22-0 lead at half-time.

Further tries from Mapimpi and Kolbe either side of Kotaro Matsushima's consolation and a final flourish from Herschel Jantjies secured victory for South Africa and helped soothe the memory of Japan's famous win at the 2015 World Cup.

Replays of that match, which finished 34-32 in Japan’s favour four years ago, were played in the Boks’ hotel foyer this week before they exacted their six tries to one revenge. 

The result will leave Japan looking for a big improvement for World Cup opener against Russia on September 20, the day South Africa begin their campaign against reigning champions New Zealand. 

SCORERS 

Japan - Try: Matsushima. Con: Tamura.

South Africa - Tries: Kolbe 2, Mapimpi 3, Jantjies. Cons: Pollard 2, Steyn 2. Pen: Pollard.

- AAP

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