MIRACLE THE SEQUEL

Forget the Boks’ 41-7 victory over Japan in a World Cup warm-up... all talk is still of THAT day in 2015 when David slayed Goliath

Asia to make the quarter-finals, last month’s friendly might have served a purpose. But not now.

Nobody is looking at Sunday’s quarter-final in Tokyo and thinking of last month’s meeting which South Africa won 41-7. All the talk is of Brighton, the sequel.

Since that heady day on the south coast the extraordinary has become almost ordinary. There has been Trump, Boris and Brexit, Leicester have won the Premier League, Chicago Cubs the World Series.

But arguably none caused more of a stir than Japan, without a World Cup win for 24 years, beating two-time world champions South Africa.

“Whenever the little guy beats Goliath, it so enriches our lives and let’s us all believe the impossible is possible,” tweeted Olympic great Daley Thompson as the final whistle blew on Japan’s 34-32 defeat of the Boks. “Thank you Japan.”

Eight days earlier Eddie Jones’ Japan had left Tokyo with players questioning why they had been made to travel in suits, given there was not a soul at Haneda to see them off.

“When we leave we’re going out in our suits with our heads held high,” explained Jones. “Because when we come back we will have changed history.”

The last-gasp victory was born out of two conversations.

The first was between Jones and his players over a period of weeks, breaking down the mystique of the Springboks and creating a “beat the Boks” routine which delivered them to the game convinced they could win.

The second took place over coffee between Jones and captain Michael Leitch on Brighton beachfront the morning of the game.

“Look, mate, we’ve got nothing to lose,” the coach told his skipper. “If you think we should have a go, have a go.”

With 13 seconds left in the game and Japan down 32-29 they were awarded a penalty. In