Original version

BBC World Service Australasia

Sporting Witness

Podcasts

Factual: History

Sport

The inside and personal story of the key moments from sporting history

No Master Brand

BBC World Service East and Southern Africa Schedule

BBC World Service East and Southern Africa

BBC World Service Europe and the Middle East

BBC World Service Online

BBC World Service schedule for American satellite radio and the Caribbean

BBC World Service Americas and the Caribbean

BBC World Service

BBC World Service South Asia

BBC World Service News Internet

BBC World Service East Asia

BBC World Service West and Central Africa Schedule

BBC World Service West and Central Africa

BBC Afghan Radio

Sporting Witness: Rugby's greatest upset

Magazines & Reviews

Rugby's greatest upset

09/09/2023 GMT

BBC World Service - Sporting Witness, Rugby's greatest upset

How Japan shook the world by beating South Africa at the 2015 Rugby Union World Cup

The Japan rugby union captain, Michael Leitch, tells the story of how his team shook the sporting world by beating South Africa at the 2015 Rugby Union World Cup in England.

In 2015, Japan’s Rugby Union team pulled off one of the greatest sporting upsets of all time, when they beat South Africa in their opening match of the World Cup in England. 

The Brave Blossoms’ win over one of the giants of world rugby would have been unimaginable before the team’s remarkable transformation under its captain Michael Leitch and head coach Eddie Jones.  

Michael Leitch spoke to Theo Whyte about the match, and how a last minute decision changed Japanese rugby forever. This is a Whistledown production for BBC World Service. 

(Photo: Karne Hesketh of Japan scores the winning try during the 2015 Rugby World Cup Pool B match between South Africa and Japan at the Brighton Community Stadium on September 19th 2015. Credit: Getty Images)

Accessibility links

Programme Index

Sporting Witness

Rugby's greatest upset

Genres

Formats

Brand

BBC World Service Australasia

About BBC World Service