Japan vs South Africa LIVE result: Stream, score and updates from the Rugby World Cup 2019

Follow all the live reaction from the Rugby World Cup quarter-final in the Japanese capital

Japan rescue crews search for typhoon survivors

A powerful South Africa ended the hopes of millions of Japanese rugby fans when they ground down the host nation 26-3 in their Rugby World Cup quarter-final at Tokyo Stadium on Sunday.

Japan had set their home tournament alight with a scintillating style of organised chaos that swept them through their pool unbeaten with victories against tier one nations Ireland and Scotland.

Their fairytale run, however, ended against a formidable Springboks defensive effort that slowed the Japanese speed, while the South Africans, who only led 5-3 at halftime, relied on halfback pairing Faf de Klerk and Handre Pollard to keep them pinned in their own half.

The Springboks, who scored three tries – two from winger Makazole Mapimpi – but wasted a string of other chances, will now face Wales in the semi-finals in Yokohama next week after they recorded a 20-19 victory over a 14-man France, who had lock Sebastian Vahaamahina sent off at Oita Stadium earlier on Sunday.

Reuters

When is it?

Japan vs South Africa kicks off at 11.15am BST (Japan Standard Time) on Sunday 20 October.

Where can I watch it?

ITV1 will be broadcasting the match, with coverage starting at 10.45am. Alternatively, you can stream it via the ITV Hub on your laptop, smartphone or laptop.

Key Points

• Japan XV: Yamanaka; Matsushima, Lafaele, Nakamura, Fukuoka; Tamura, Nagare; Inagaki, Horie, Koo, Thompson, Moore, Leitch (c), Labuschagne, Himeno.
• South Africa XV: Le Roux: Kolbe, Am, De Allende, Mapimpi; Pollard, De Klerk, Mtawarira, Mbonambi, Malherbe, Etzebeth, De Jager, Kolisi (c), Du Toit, Vermeulen.

[20 October 2019 13:13 · Samuel Lovett]

76 min: Japan 3-26 South Africa

A pause in play as Pieter Labuschagne receives some play down near the left touchline for what looks to be a head injury.

It's nothing too serious, though, and it's not long before he's back on his feet, scrum cap back in place.

[20 October 2019 13:15 · Samuel Lovett]

78 min: Japan 3-26 South Africa

South Africa with a line-out on Japan's 22. This looks ominous as the rolling maul slowly whirs into life - but in this instance the hosts manage to offer enough resistance to force Faf de Klerk into using it.

Out it goes to the left, only to be booted back in the same direction a few moments later. But a knock-on from the hands of Siya Kolisi soon follows, and Japan have the put-in at the scrum. Two minutes to go.

[20 October 2019 13:17 · Samuel Lovett]

79 min: Japan 3-26 South Africa

You love to see it. The Japanese backs surge forward in their masses from the scrum, fizzing play right with all the speed of a bullet train before Kotaro Matsushima finally makes the contact. Even now, they're staying true to their game-playing principles. 

[20 October 2019 13:18 · Samuel Lovett]

80 min: Japan 3-26 South Africa

The gong goes for full-time, but South Africa look intent on one more score as they take possession up to the 22.

[20 October 2019 13:18 · Samuel Lovett]

FULL-TIME: Japan 3-26 South Africa

The Springboks are through to the last four of the Rugby World Cup!

[20 October 2019 13:21 · Samuel Lovett]

FULL-TIME: Japan 3-26 South Africa

There it is, then: the end of the line for Japan. And what a journey it's been. They've set this tournament alight and will emerge from the past five weeks with a bright future ahead of them.

They may have fallen short on this occasion, but there's no doubt they now deserve a place at the top table.

[20 October 2019 13:23 · Samuel Lovett]

FULL-TIME: Japan 3-26 South Africa

The Springboks' quality shone through in the end. Their defence was utterly impenetrable, even when they found themselves under the cosh during that first-half spell of pressure from the Japanese.

Come the final 30 minutes, their superior fitness and physicality made the difference, with the Brave Blossoms unable to compete at the breakdown and set-piece.

[20 October 2019 13:24 · Samuel Lovett]

Faf de Klerk has been named man of the match 

[20 October 2019 13:28 · Samuel Lovett]

Some quick words from Japan head coach Jamie Joseph who's down on pitch side:

"At half-time, the guys were a little bit down, a few niggles in the group," he says. "But at the end of the day I'm so proud of my team, the tenacity, the determination.

"And secondly I'd like to thank the fans. We wouldn't be hear without their support. They've been absolutely marvellous.

"We're really proud of what we've achieved at the World Cup. We're going to enjoy that later on."

[20 October 2019 13:30 · Samuel Lovett]

Japan, crestfallen, line up along the dead ball area, shoulder to shoulder, to pay their thanks to the fans. It's going to be a tough one to swallow given how far they've come and how high the expectations have been raised.