Rugby World Cup 2019: Springboks to spoil the party and knock Japan out in the quarter finals - SA journalist

Suggestions of an All Blacks v Japan final at the Rugby World Cup have already been written off by some who say South Africa will spoil the party in the quarter-finals.

The 'Brave Blossoms' advanced to the playoffs for the first time after a 28-21 win over Scotland on Sunday night.

It means they'll take on the Springboks in the quarter-final - a fixture in which they've tasted victory before. They famously beat the South Africans at the previous World Cup at Brighton in the UK. These days the match is labelled "The Brighton Miracle".

The Japanese aren't strangers to an upset - the 2019 tournament has seen them defeat Ireland in pool play, while many were expecting a Scotland victory on Sunday night.

So they've defied the odds twice, can they do it again?  

A South African sports writer says tripping up the Springboks again may be a bridge too far for Japan.

Writing for The South African, sports journalist James Richardson says while the 'Brave Blossoms' will be a threat, the Springboks are likely to "play the party pooper".

"Japan were sensational in sealing top spot in their in an emotionally charged clash with Scotland and will pose a significant threat to the Springboks.

"As impressive as the Brave Blossoms have been the Springboks seem to have been handed a lucky break," Richardson wrote for The South African.

On The AM Show on Monday morning, Newshub's Mike McRoberts and newsreader Amanda Gillies both said they'd love to see an All Blacks v Japan final.

"I might be getting a bit ahead of myself, but wouldn't that be amazing?" McRoberts said.

Host Duncan Garner was also hopeful of another upset.

Join us for live updates of the Rugby World Cup quarter-finals next weekend.

Newshub.