October is the month of horror and so I guess its only fair that we use the opportunity to revisit one of the darkest days our country’s ever had – in sporting terms at least – on September 19, 2015. If just saying that date didn’t make you flinch with regret, then let me remind you that that was the day that Japan pulled of one of the biggest upsets in rugby history and beat South Africa in our World Cup opening game. Sorry for ruining your day.
Let me make it even worse for you though with a video of the highlights package to really rub salt into your wounds:
It’s a dark day forever etched into the memories of many South Africans, but unfortunately, it’s probably going to be one that doesn’t go away anytime soon because it’s getting turned into a movie. Kyodo News is reporting that the award-winning Australian writer and director Max Mannix is scheduled to start production soon of a movie based on the event titled The Brighton Miracle. A story which Maddix believes is worth making because it’s about so much more than just Rugby itself:
What Eddie Jones and his team did in 2015 was truly magnificent and worthy of being remembered… The story goes beyond rugby in the same way ‘Chariots of Fire’ wasn’t just about running. That was more a film about the distinction between class, belief and religion. No one gave the Japan team a chance against South Africa, who at the time were the most successful Rugby World Cup team in history. The result was celebrated around the world. What I want to do is try and show why it happened (and) where did the self-belief come from?
As much as I hate hearing that, I have to agree with the man that it definitely is an inspiring story that will probably make a great movie. One that I may have difficulties watching as it opens up unresolved wounds. Thank goodness that they haven’t made a big Hollywood movie about the 99 Cricket World Cup, because then I might want to not watch movies all over again.
The story though is set to be focused more on coach Eddie Jones than the Japanese team or that event as a whole. It may not be a movie exclusively about that rugby match but the events of that game will no doubt form a major part of its narrative. New Zealand actor Temuera Morrison is set to take the role of Jones with Australian Uli Latukefu portraying Japan’s captain Michael Leitch. The big star in the movie though is perhaps Sam Neill, who will be playing Jones’ father with a host of Japanese cast members to play the role of the rest of Jones’ family and the Japanese rugby team of course. They will need cast members to play the Springboks too, but I doubt they will find South African actors willing to put themselves through that torment all over again – even if it’s for the sake of art.
The Brighton Miracle doesn’t have any planned release date yet, though with a Rugby World Cup hosted in Japan coming our way in September next year, I wouldn’t be surprised if they try to hit that date to attract Japanese audiences when they are feeling the most patriotic. And leave South Africans hoping that they’ve learnt their lesson this time around. At least we didn’t draw Japan in our pool. It’s just those pesky All Blacks that we need to take care of this time.
Last Updated: October 4, 2018
Dresden
October 4, 2018 at 11:17
1999 cricket world cup…
https://i.ytimg.com/vi/_byJ5Bx-qks/hqdefault.jpg
Dresden
October 4, 2018 at 11:17
1999 cricket world cup…
https://i.ytimg.com/vi/_byJ5Bx-qks/hqdefault.jpg
Admiral Chief
October 4, 2018 at 11:18
We don’t speak of that
Dresden
October 4, 2018 at 11:19
That rat bastard Craig brought it up, not me!
Pariah
October 4, 2018 at 11:21
Is that the one where Allan Donald just stopped in the middle of a winning run, thereby losing South Africa the world cup?
For the Emperor!
October 4, 2018 at 11:23
Yup
Admiral Chief
October 4, 2018 at 11:18
I remember when SA rugby was something to be proud of. I member
Darren Peach
October 4, 2018 at 12:22
It will be again my friend. Don’t fret.
Pariah
October 4, 2018 at 11:18
Rugby. Just another sport I don’t care about. Why don’t we have Ice Hockey here? Hmmm? There’s a real sport.
For the Emperor!
October 4, 2018 at 11:21
We have…but only really at club level. Almost started playing it myself but got injured in Paintball and dropped out 🙁
Pariah
October 4, 2018 at 11:22
Yeah I know, but there are only a few rinks in the country that actually support the sport, so it’s really not popular even at that level. Sad, really.
Original Heretic
October 4, 2018 at 11:23
Paintball injury? Huh? How the hell and what the hell?
For the Emperor!
October 4, 2018 at 11:26
We played “bush wars” on my brother-in-law’s small holding outside of Pretoria. Running full speed to flank the enemy (friendship stops at the “go” whistle), I jumped over a log. Little did I know I would land with my, at the time, 135+kg frame on a slippery rock…with a hole right next to it. Had to wear a moon-boot for 3 weeks due to a severely sprains ankle. Luckily nothing broke or tore.
Original Heretic
October 4, 2018 at 11:28
KNOW YOUR TERRAIN!
And always shoot for the crotch. Paintball 101.
For the Emperor!
October 4, 2018 at 11:42
That is why I wear my cricket protection lol. I had jumped that log multiple times in the past. Perhaps it was just the pure speed I was using – I could really move for someone with such a heavy body as I did not have to dodge the smaller trees. They dodged or suffered for it 😛
Original Heretic
October 4, 2018 at 11:47
I always wear a box. And a cap.
In both cases, I learned to do that the hard way…
Worst place I’ve ever been shot is still inner thigh. It’s happened to me 3 times. And it never feels any better.
Damn, I still gotta do another paintball session sometime.
My mates and I kinda started a tradition. For bachelor party, the day after is paintball. And the groom-to-be runs the gauntlet. He runs, everyone just opens fire. But for my bachelors, the day after rained so bad, we decided not to do it.
Dresden
October 4, 2018 at 11:24
Funny you should say that. I listened to an interview a few weeks back on radio that the guy had with the 2 members of the South African ice hockey team.
Was interesting to learn about their training regiments, etc and the fact that they train weekly at Grand West Casino.
Never even knew we had an ice hockey team…
Pariah
October 4, 2018 at 11:26
We do yeah. Our skill is well below NHL’s level though, mainly due to lack of support and places to play. We’ve played a number of international teams
Lord Chaos
October 4, 2018 at 11:55
I went to a fight and a hockey game broke out
For the Emperor!
October 4, 2018 at 11:22
I remember the frustration while watching that match. They had a 100% plan just for us, chopping us off at the legs so we could offload (not that we did) but could not drive further like we wanted to. I generally like sports movies, even loving Draft Day, so I will give this a watch on a legal Stream
Original Heretic
October 4, 2018 at 11:24
We could debate this all day… Eddie Jones knew us too well.
For the Emperor!
October 4, 2018 at 11:27
Well, since we agree on that, debate over in a draw? 😛
Original Heretic
October 4, 2018 at 13:28
Debate was the wrong word to use. Let’s rather say we could Disqus it all day.
Pariah
October 4, 2018 at 13:29
Technically we already Disqus anything and everything all day, so maybe that doesn’t work either?
Original Heretic
October 4, 2018 at 13:30
We’re not getting technical due to a pun from me.
HvR
October 4, 2018 at 11:48
Well that and we haven’t really change our tactics in 2 decades
For the Emperor!
October 4, 2018 at 11:50
That, and if Matfield is in the top 5 on the fitness tests, you know we are in for a difficult time. Actually, I believe it was reported in the papers that only Jesse Kriel beat him on the fitness tests 😛
Original Heretic
October 4, 2018 at 11:52
So many reasons.
But in that game, they tried to change tactics. But their execution thereof of piss poor.
That was why the very next game, they panicked and went back to the old ways.
Geoffrey Tim
October 4, 2018 at 11:33
I remember watching this game. Went to support the Boks, because I’m south african, but I just – by chance – happened to be wearing a red t-shirt, which watching Japan play in a sports bar filled with SA supporters. There I am, Asian dude, dressed in red, surrounded by die-hard bok supporters…I did not really feel welcome when that game ended.
For the Emperor!
October 4, 2018 at 11:44
Had I been there, I would have been the one to laugh and buy you a drink! It was not like the reff robbed us or that we were that poor on the day, we were outsmarted and outplayed and I always appreciate that! Win or lose, a good game is a good game, and a worthy victor is a worthy victor!
Original Heretic
October 4, 2018 at 11:47
That’s on them, not you.
People take these games too seriously. Yes, it’s great to watch and fun to get all involved and emotional. But it’s just a sport. If your team loses on the day, so be it. Move on!
Geoffrey Tim
October 4, 2018 at 11:52
Me that day
https://uploads.disquscdn.com/images/8e9c4a7c574fbffd32f5eed8eeb116cbaf7b54bab99648ba47b29866f31cea5b.gif
Original Heretic
October 4, 2018 at 11:53
THAT was why they were looking at you weirdly.
An Asian black guy? Who WOULDN’T stare at you.
For the Emperor!
October 4, 2018 at 13:52
Hahahahaaa!
Viper_ZA
October 4, 2018 at 12:14
The flipside will be if we get to beat NZ at Loftus on Saturday, that would be great 🙂
Gr8_Balls_o_Fire
October 4, 2018 at 14:16
The way this article opened, I thought there was some sort of riot or terrorist activity that I didn’t know about. Turns out SA lost a game to Japan. Uhhh. Yea.
Geoffrey Tim
October 4, 2018 at 16:22
Hyperbole for dramatic effect