SA Rugbymag

South African rugby news, fixtures, results, video, interviews, and more. Covering the Springboks, Bulls, Stormers/Western Province, Sharks, Cheetahs, Kings and Lions, as well as schools and club rugby.

Primary Menu Search
  • Home
  • Match Centre
  • British & Irish Lions
  • Videos
  • Supabets
  • Cars
    • Motoring News
    • Used Cars For Sale
    • New Cars For Sale
    • Demo Cars For Sale
  • Daddy’s Deals

You are here: Home ∼ Two Saffas in Brave Blossoms side to front B&I Lions

Two Saffas in Brave Blossoms side to front B&I Lions

Japan forward Wimpie van der Walt Wimpie van der Walt
Published on June 24, 2021

Head coach Jamie Joseph has named the Japan team for their Test against the British & Irish Lions at Murrayfield on Saturday.

Captain Michael Leitch is joined in a star-studded loose trio by fellow flank Lappies Labuschagne and No 8 Amanaki Mafi.

James Moore and Wimpie van der Walt line up at lock behind props Koo Ji-won and Keita Inagaki, with Atsushi Sakate starting at hooker.

Kaito Shigeno and Yu Tamura have been partnered in the halfback axis while the midfield duo are Ryoto Nakamura and Timothy Lafaele.

There’s star quality in the back three, too, where lethal Kotaro Matsushima starts on the wing alongside Siosaia Fifita and Ryohei Yamanaka.

Commenting on his selections, Joseph said: “This is a strong Japanese team combining a solid foundation of experience, with some exciting new players who have earned the right to represent Japan at Test-match level. We will field a strong, competitive team on Saturday while also taking the opportunity to blood new players as we look ahead to Rugby World Cup.

“Six Nations teams play around a strong set piece, and this is where the Lions will look to pressure us. We have picked a team with this in mind and which is capable of putting pressure back on to the opposition and taking our opportunities to score points when they come.

“There is a great spirit among the team and a collective excitement ahead of Saturday’s match. Playing the Lions for the first time holds huge significance for Japanese rugby and, as a team, we’re looking forward to once again be playing on the world stage and to be taking on a team with the unique strength and history of the Lions.”

Japan were one of the 2019 World Cup’s star attractions with their entertaining brand of rugby, claiming four wins from four in a pool that included Ireland, Scotland, Samoa and Russia. They would go on to lose to eventual tournament-winners South Africa in the quarter-finals.

Japan – 15 Ryohei Yamanaka, 14 Kotaro Matsushima, 13 Timothy Lafaele, 12 Ryoto Nakamura, 11 Siosaia Fifita, 10 Yu Tamura, 9 Kaito Shigeno, 8 Amanaki Mafi, 7 Lappies Labuschagne, 6 Michael Leitch, 5 James Moore, 4 Wimpie van der Walt, 3 Koo Ji-won, 2 Atsushi Sakate, 1 Keita Inagaki.
Subs: 16 Kosuke Horikoshi, 17 Craig Millar, 18 Asaeli Ai Valu, 19 Jack Cornelsen, 20 Kazuki Himeno, 21 Tevita Tatafu, 22 Naoto Saito, 23 Rikiya Matsuda.

Photo: Getty Images

Posted in Lions Tour, News, Test Rugby, Top headlines Tagged 2021 Lions Tour, brave blossoms, British and Irish Lions, japan, Lappies Labuschagne, Lions tpur, NEWS, Test Rugby, Wimpie van der Walt

Post by SA Rugby magazine

SA Rugby magazine

MPU #1 - (DESKTOP SIZE 300x250 / MOBILE SIZE 320x50, 300x250, 320x100)
← Previous Next →

Ratings: Du Toit one of the few standouts for Boks

The Boks faded in the second half to slump to a 22-17...

Five key areas the Boks need to dominate for first victory

SA Rugby magazine highlights five crucial areas the Boks will need to...

Duhan should be celebrated for his Lions success

Duhan van der Merwe’s achievements should be truly appreciated by South Africans,...

JdV: Boks-Lions have everything to play for

Performing in empty stadiums will be a key factor in the series...

Dynamic Dayimani: Forward to back

While he has been signed as an ‘edge’ forward, Hacjivah Dayimani could...

Boks have muscle memory to rely on

Rassie Erasmus and Jacques Nienaber are experts at finding solutions to tricky...

Top six: Best and worst foreign imports

SARugbymag.co.za identifies six of the best and worst foreign players to play...

Column: When context is needed

As highlighted by the Argentina controversy, ‘cancel culture’ needs a spoonful of...

Dark cloud hangs over WP Rugby

The problems at Western Province Rugby are layered, and everyone involved needs...

From the mag: Foreign Favourites

As Vodacom Super Rugby turned 25 this year, JON CARDINELLI picks an...

Bulls rookies to watch

After a massive exodus of players the Vodacom Bulls will be eager...

Analysis: The new suffocate-and-strangle game

For the Boks to emerge as World Cup winners, they need to...

VIEW MORE
  • Team graphics: Springboks vs B&I Lions
  • Boks vs Lions (1st Test): Predict and WIN!
  • Lions team announcement: Duhan to front Boks
  • Teams: SA A vs Bulls
Boks

Why the Boks should be bullish

There is good reason for the Springboks to enter the British & Irish Lions series with confidence, writes MARK KEOHANE in the latest SA Rugby magazine.

  • Watch: Did Gatland’s words influence Jonker?


COVID-19 Corona Virus
South African Resource Portal

ABOUT

  • Contact us
  • Competitions
  • Videos
  • Player Features
  • Subscribe
  • Terms and conditions
  • Privacy Policy

TOURNAMENTS

    • Rugby Championship
    • Super Rugby
    • Currie Cup
    • Varsity Cup
    • Gold Cup
    • Schools
    • Six Nations
    • Champions Cup
    • World Cup

OPINION

  • Mallett on SuperSport
  • Cardinelli column
  • Lewis column
  • Xabanisa column
  • Borchardt column
  • Superbru

Primary Menu

  • Home
  • Match Centre
  • British & Irish Lions
  • Videos
  • Supabets
  • Cars
    • Motoring News
    • Used Cars For Sale
    • New Cars For Sale
    • Demo Cars For Sale
  • Daddy’s Deals
×