BRIGHTON, UK — A last-minute Karne Hesketh try secured a 34-32 win over two-time champion South Africa in one of the biggest shocks in Rugby World Cup history Saturday. Japan attacked the Springboks from the first minute in an inspiring performance in the Pool D opening match in Brighton. After Ayumu Goromaru scored 24 points including an brilliant try to keep Japan in the game, Hesketh finally pierced South Africa's desperate defense in the dying seconds to claim the famous win. Japan's players went on a lap of honor with national flag amid a roars of support from the 29,000 crowd. "It's a fantastic achievement," said coach Eddie Jones who will leave the team after the World Cup. "We worked really hard for this — but look for me personally its right up there with my best days in the sport," said the coach who guided Australia to the 2003 final and was member of the Springboks coaching team for their 2007 World Cup triumph. Ireland smashes Canada Ireland overwhelmed Canada 50-7, clinching the four-try bonus point inside 36 minutes. The Six Nations champion scored seven tries in total under the Millennium Stadium roof, the first three coming in a 10-minute spell midway through the first half when Canada hardman Jamie Cudmore was in the sin-bin. Jonathan Sexton ran the show from flyhalf, crossing once, and kicking nine points to inspire Ireland to a 29-0 halftime lead. Sean O'Brien, Iain Henderson, and Dave Kearney were the other first-half try-scorers. Sean Cronin, Rob Kearney, and Jared Payne all dotted down in the final 16 minutes for Ireland, which lost to Wales and England in the build-up to raise alarm. DTH Van Der Merwe scored Canada's lone try in the Pool D match. Georgia stuns Tonga Georgia earned a significant edge in the race to third place in Pool C when it manhandled Tonga 17-10 at Kingsholm. The two are in the same pool as New Zealand and Argentina, and targeted this match as winnable as soon as the draw was made last year. For the Lelos, as Georgia is known, it was only its third win at its fourth Rugby World Cup. It may yet help it finish its pool in third, at least, and automatically qualify for the 2019 tournament in Japan. England earns bonus point England got the result it needed, if not the complete performance, as a four-try 35-11 bonus-point victory over Fiji got the Rugby World Cup started Friday — though it had to wait until the last second to complete it. After an early penalty try, fullback Mike Brown added two more before replacement forward Billy Vunipola settled the game in a dramatic finale. It was by no means plain sailing for the tournament hosts as Fiji defended strongly and carried a threat but England will be delighted to have claimed the extra point that could prove vital in a tough Pool A also containing Australia and Wales. — Agencies
