Four years on from that famous defeat in Brighton, and South Africa are again playing second-fiddle to Japan.

And that includes World Rugby, the sport’s governing body, which has been stunned by the huge numbers being racked up in terms of television viewers and social media engagements as well as the good old-fashioned barometer of jersey sales.

It might not have been the route they envisaged but Ireland have reached their initial destination, although the question remains whether this is finally the time to venture into virgin territory.

It was Samoa who provided the opposition for Joe Schmidt’s introduction to Test rugby as Ireland’s head coach, way back when in November 2013.

Jamie Joseph insists Japan are desperate for Sunday’s clash with Scotland to avoid falling prey to Super Typhoon Hagibis after declaring his team want to seize their place among the elite.

It is not just sumo that occupies the hearts and minds of Japanese sports fans, as this year’s Rugby World Cup is proving on a rapidly increasing basis.

‘The Shock of Shizuoka’, as it became known around the world, was alluded to by a number of Japanese media outlets in the build up to last Saturday.

That breathless Wales-Australia World Cup classic this morning had enough about it to turn Saturday’s Shizuoka shocker into the realm of a bad dream.

Nobody thinks it a good idea to be asking international rugby players to play games just four days apart.

Shock in Shizuoka as Japan claim vital win against Ireland

Joe Schmidt is expecting an upturn in refereeing standards and consistency following the officials’ very public dressing down by World Rugby this week.

Jack Carty was on holiday in Spain two years ago when Joey Carbery injured some ligaments in Ireland’s defeat of the USA in New Jersey.

Jamie Joseph makes four changes to the Brave Blossom starting XV that defeated Russia 30-10 in the World Cup opening match last Friday.

Slowly but very surely, rugby and this World Cup are beginning to seep into the bones of Japanese society.

Uwe Helu gave a wicked little grin as he lit the fuse. He knew exactly what he was doing.

As Japan prepares to get Asia’s first Rugby World Cup underway at the Tokyo Stadium tonight (11.45am Irish time), it would be all too easy to forget their opponents as the planet turns its gaze towards the Brave Blossoms.

Ireland’s win over Italy at the weekend told us little about the eventual destination of the Webb Ellis trophy this year – for that you had to look to the other side of the world.

Jamie Joseph has revealed Japan’s “amateurs” receive less than £14 (€16) a day on tour and will face England on Saturday hunting nothing but glory.

New Zealand rugby bosses should be concerned about the loss of expertise from rugby coaches moving overseas because of limited career opportunities at home, departing Wellington Hurricanes coach Chris Boyd has warned.

Ireland head coach Joe Schmidt was relieved to see his side clinch a hard-fought 35-13 victory over Japan at Ajinomoto Stadium in Tokyo.

The Irish management last night insisted that their Munster players are not being sidetracked by talk of Rassie Erasmus leaving the province.

You’d imagine the Irish management will be hoping for a tougher test from Japan in the concluding test in Tokyo next Saturday as there will be little to be gained from another landslide win.

Ireland coach Joe Schmidt admits this two-match tour to Japan is proving hugely beneficial in their preparations for the World Cup.

Joe Schmidt is today set to unveil his Ireland squad for next month’s Tests in the United States and Japan.

Connacht’s search for a successor to Pat Lam will continue without two of the fancied contenders following confirmation that former All Blacks Tony Brown and Jono Gibbes are not in the running.

Geordan Murphy has spoken of his pride in captaining Ireland for the first time as they provide the opposition for New Zealand Maori’s centenary match tomorrow.

WITH their backs against the wall in the Maori’s backyard, Ireland will look to restore some semblance of pride in Rotorua tomorrow morning.

THE New Zealand Maori squad has been named for next month’s Centenary series — which includes a clash with Ireland — with former All Blacks Corey Flynn, Hosea Gear, Tanerau Latimer, Luke McAlister, Liam Messam and Isaac Ross all named.

Hosea Gear is looking forward to getting some game time with the Wellington Lions after a frustrating few weeks on the sidelines with New Zealand.

WELLINGTON prop Jacob Ellison looks set for a long spell on the sidelines after dislocating his elbow during Friday’s 64-7 win against Counties-Manukau.

Kyran Bracken hopes his recall to the England Test side, after chief scrum-half rival Matt Dawson today failed a fitness test, will prove to be a case of history repeating itself.

Wales players have been warned to expect a stiff test on their five-match summer tour to Japan.