The day the Springboks learned that giants can fall

KENSINGTON, LONDON: Such is the ebb and flow of Test rugby – a reminder that no team is ever truly invincible.

That’s the nature of Test rugby: Its shifting tides remind even the best sides that invincibility is only an illusion.

Dominance is always temporary, and giants will fall. Remember when Kodak ignored digital photography?. Or when Blockbuster laughed off Netflix.

Despite their championship pedigree, the Springboks have suffered some heavy defeats in their history, demonstrating that losses are an integral part of their story.

The Millennium Stadium was still a building site in June 1999, on what turned out to be one of the best days in the modern history of Welsh Rugby.

Graham Henry’s side had just returned from Argentina after securing two hard-fought wins, but even the patriotic Wales fans could not have predicted what was about to unfold.

Wales had lost 12 of the previous 13 encounters with the Springboks, who were preparing to defend their World Cup crown. The only time they avoided defeat was a 6-6 draw in Cardiff in January 1970.

Flyhalf Neil Jenkins kicked the first of his 19 points before Mark Taylor scored the first try at the new stadium, with Gareth Thomas adding a second after the break.

Erasmus still feels he missed the vital tackle on Thomas that won Wales the game. But to be fair to the former Springbok flanker, it wasn’t a one-on-one tackle, and there wasn’t much he could’ve done to prevent the five-pointer.

South Africa replied through tries from Percy Montgomery and Werner Swanepoel, while Braam Van Straaten kicked two penalties, with Gaffie du Toit adding another.

But nothing was going to stop Wales from celebrating the 29-19 victory, especially the builders who were seen throwing their hard hats in the air.

Fast forward 16 years, and another iconic moment happened involving the Springboks.

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This time, Erasmus was not involved with the Boks. In fact, he was watching the game at home when yet another great upset happened.

At World Cup 2015, Japan were battling South Africa in the opening match of Pool B.

With the underdogs within striking distance of taking a shock lead and victory, they defied the odds by rejecting a draw and going for the win.

As the final whistle loomed, the Brave Blossoms stunned the two-time world Champions and shocked the world by scoring a match-winning try.

That was a massive upset. One of the biggest upsets in world rugby. And obviously, that was iconic for Japan.

This week, ahead of another duel with Eddie Jones and his Brave Blossoms, Erasmus was continually reminded of that day.

“I’ve also been part of [similar] teams, [like] the first time we lost against Wales, I was a player. I was the guy who missed the tackle, and I will never forget that game,” Erasmus recalled when speaking to reporters on Tuesday.

“And the first time we lost to Italy. There are landmark things that happen that stand out.

“But then time moves on,” he said, and added: “Since then, we have played Japan twice. And they beat us fair and square in that game. People will always talk about that.

“We are not looking at them as a lucky team on that day. We are looking at them as a team that is climbing the ranks and getting really competitive.

“And these players [gesturing to Kurt-Lee Arendse], and the New Zealand players, and the influx of players into their local competition on that side, I don’t think they fear other countries anymore.

“Because they know the players, they play with New Zealanders, Australians, and South Africans.

“So if you look at the lucky day, if you want to call it that – it won’t be a lucky day if they beat Tier One teams now, because they are a well-drilled top nation.”