Japan coach Eddie Jones had to look at the scoreboard to make sure the result was right after his side beat two-time champions South Africa in the biggest upset in World Cup history.
Jones, who will leave the post after the World Cup, said it had been a “humbling experience.”
The 55-year-old Australian — who took the Wallabies to the 2003 final they lost to England — said Japan could easily have lost and emerged with credit but little else.
Instead they recorded their second win in 24 years at the World Cup against one of the biggest names in the sport and eased memories of their 145-17 humiliation by the All Blacks in 1995.
The win was doubly important as Japan will host the 2019 World Cup and have been in trouble over preparations.
“It was a pretty humbling experience today,” said Jones, whose mother is Japanese.
“Japan beating South Africa … I had to look at the scoreboard to see if I was reading it right.
“Of course going into the match you thought it was like the traditional horror story scenario where you go for a shower at midnight and you know what is going to happen! That Japan will lose 50-20 and be praised as brave Japan.
“Well we were more than brave today, we kept sticking in there and not letting go.”
Captain Courageous
Jones also praised the courage of captain Michael Leitch in going for a try instead of a penalty that could have secured a draw in the final minute.
Japan went for touch and Karne Hesketh scored a historic try.
Leitch, who was born in New Zealand but has lived in Japan since the age of 15, said it had been a victory they had been plotting for quite some time.
“We’ve been training to beat the ‘Boks for the past three years and the boys are really happy,” said the 26-year-old flanker, who scored one of Japan’s three tries.
Speaking of the last minute penalty, he said: “I decided that having discussed with the players this morning that we wanted to win it and I did not want to disappoint the boys.
“The first victory for us at the World Cup in 24 years is a very special feeling and we will celebrate it.” Japan last won against Zimbabwe in 1991.
“But then we have Scotland round the corner.” Japan play Scotland in Gloucester on Wednesday.
Jones said the gameplan had worked perfectly as they hassled and harried the rattled Sprinbgoks, even though it was the most experienced South African starting XV of all time.
“We wanted to keep the ball in play and fortunately that is the way it turned out,” said Jones.
“So is it a miracle? I don’t know, it has just happened.
“I’ve coached for 20 years and never worked so hard. Thats why I said at the beginning I’m too old for this and should be in Barbados watching cricket.”
However, the wisecracking Jones said the team would not sit back and resting on their laurels. Jones aimed a dig at his old rival former England handler turned TV pundit Clive Woodward, who snatched the World Cup almost from his lips in the 2003 final.
“We’re not done yet mate, we’ve come here with two objectives, beat a top team and also make the quarter-finals. Then I can retire and I can be like Clive Woodward,” said Jones with a grin.
Springbok captain Jean de Villiers, whose World Cup misery appears to have no end after mising the entire 2003 tournament through injury and getting injured in the first game of the triumphant 2007 campaign, admitted Jones’ knowledge of the South African players could have had an impact.
“It definitely did have an influence on the game,” said De Villiers.
“It is a credit to him the way he prepared them. Eddie, his pedigree speaks for what a good coach he is.”
