Japanese commentators go wild as Karne Hesketh makes history

Japan set the World Cup alight with heroic victory in opener against South Africa

A shopper at an electronics shop in Tokyo walks past televisions showing news reports about the Japanese rugby union team’s historical victory at the Rugby World Cup over South Africa. Photograph: Getty Images
A shopper at an electronics shop in Tokyo walks past televisions showing news reports about the Japanese rugby union team’s historical victory at the Rugby World Cup over South Africa. Photograph: Getty Images

Japan epitomised everything that's good about sport with their historic win over South Africa last Saturday.

The win in its own right was historic - a David versus Goliath victory that will inspire underdogs until the next big upset comes around. Yet it’s not likely that we’ll get an occasion quite like this again for a very long time.

Trailing 29-32 the Japan team turned down the chance to take a remarkable draw against the two-time World Champions - instead opting to go for the try line. And guess what, yes, that’s right they scored.

Sports fans worldwide were all glued to their TV sets at this stage, all fanatically cheering on the heroic Japanese for those final few strides. So what must the actual Japanese fans have been experiencing - sheer ecstasy?

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Here’s the Japanese commentary as Karne Hesketh crossed the line in the final minute. *goosebumps warning.