A hat-trick by Makazole Mapimpi propelled South Africa to a comfortable 41-7 victory over Japan in their final Rugby World Cup warm-up match in Kumagaya.
Winger Cheslin Kolbe opened the scoring with a neat finish on seven minutes, before Mapimpi ran in two easy tries from the other flank as the Springboks built a 22-0 lead at halftime.
Further tries from Mapimpi and Kolbe either side of Kotaro Matsushima's consolation and a final flourish from Herschel Jantjies secured victory for South Africa and helped soothe the memory of Japan's famous win at the 2015 World Cup.
Japan must look for improvement in their World Cup opener against Russia on September 20 before South Africa begin their campaign against reigning champions New Zealand a day later.
Reuters
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