The World Cup quarterfinal fixtures were confirmed after the final pool match between hosts Japan and Scotland on Sunday.
With Japan holding out for a 28-21 win over the Scots, they remained unbeaten in Pool A to finish in pole position and book their place in the knockouts for the first time.
Up next for the hosts is a quarterfinal encounter against Rassie Erasmus’s Springboks on Sunday.
This will be no surprise for Erasmus, who predicted the Springboks would face Japan in the playoffs before the tournament had even started.
KO BATTLE: Japan v Springboks. Picture: Franck Robinchon/EPA.
As for New Zealand, who finished top of the pile in South Africa’s pool, they will face Ireland, who finished second in Pool A, in their quarterfinal clash on Saturday.
On the same day, England and Australia will go toe-to-toe in what is expected to be a classic match, with Wales and France locking horns on Sunday.
The winner of the Springboks-Japan clash will face Wales or France in the semis, while New Zealand or Ireland will go up against the winner of the England-Australia tie.