Japan coach Jamie Joseph has made four changes to his starting XV from last week’s win over Chile for the Pool D match against England in Nice on Sunday.
Loose forward Kazuki Himeno was on Tuesday named Japan captain for the World Cup as the Brave Blossoms seek to replicate their impressive performances on home soil four years ago.
Manie Libbok’s meteoric rise at the Stormers trumped Lappies Labuschagne’s revival in Japan, according to SARugbymag.co.za readers.
Is Manie Libbok’s magical rise at the Stormers a better comeback story than Lappies Labuschagne’s Japanese reawakening?
WP Nel had a good run but it came to an end when SARugbymag.co.za readers voted Lappies Labuschagne’s Japanese revival the superior tale of redemption.
Discarded by South Africa but adopted by Japan, Lappies Labuschagne proved his doubters wrong and paved his own way to the top, but did he do it better than WP Nel?
Former Bulls wing Gerhard van den Heever starts as one of three SA-born players in the match-day 23 for Japan in a showdown with England at Twickenham on Saturday.
Four South African-born players have been named in Japan’s extended training squad ahead of the 2022 Test season.
Veteran flank Lappies Labuschagne has been named Japan captain for their Test against the Wallabies in Oita on Saturday.
Take a look at the match-day squads for Saturday’s first-ever encounter between Japan and the British & Irish Lions, who will play their first game on home soil since 2005. (more…)
