Japan defeated South Africa 34–32 in the 2015 Rugby World Cup group stage.
The match took place on 19 September 2015 at Brighton Community Stadium in England. South Africa were two-time world champions and overwhelming favourites, while Japan had never previously won a Rugby World Cup match against a major Southern Hemisphere power.
Japan scored a late try by Karne Hesketh, converted by Ayumu Goromaru, to complete one of the biggest upsets in Rugby World Cup history. Japan’s victory was widely nicknamed the “Brighton Miracle.”
The result was especially notable because Japan had entered the tournament with a reputation for brave, fast rugby but limited success at the World Cup. South Africa recovered later in the competition, while Japan narrowly missed the quarter-finals despite winning three of their four pool matches.