For around 35 minutes on Tuesday, Japanese rugby fans and neutrals around the world could be forgiven for thinking lightning was about to strike twice as Japan led South Africa in a test match.
Three first-half tries from Tokai University wing Ataata Moeakiola had many believing a repeat of Brighton 2015 — when the Brave Blossoms famously beat the Springboks at the Rugby World Cup — was on the cards.
But it wasn't to be as the Baby Boks scored 52 unanswered points at the Manchester City Academy Stadium to beat the Baby Blossoms 59-19 in the opening game of the World Rugby Under-20 Championship.
The sin binning of Tenri University flanker Faulua Makisi in the 34th minute shortly after Japan had gone up 19-7 proved to be the undoing of Ryuji Nakatake's men as the South Africans scored three quick tries either side of halftime.
The Junior Springboks, for whom Zain Davids was outstanding, went on to cross the chalk a further four times as their speed and power came to their fore, though questions have to be asked about the strength and conditioning of the Baby Blossoms given the way they wilted so badly.