Japan’s quarter-final against South Africa a culmination of five-year journey

FILE PHOTO: Rugby Union - England v Japan - Twickenham Stadium, Twickenham, Britain - November 17, 2018 Japan's Ryoto Nakamura scores their first try REUTERS/Toby Melville

TOKYO (Reuters) - That Japan are preparing for the biggest match in their history, a Rugby World Cup quarter-final showdown against South Africa in Tokyo on Sunday, is a testament to the rapid improvement the Brave Blossoms have made over the past five years.

Despite appearing at every edition since the tournament's founding in 1987, until four years ago Japan had just a single World Cup victory under their belts, a 52-8 win over Zimbabwe in 1991.