[imagesource: Koki Nagahama/Getty Images]

On September 19, 2015, Japan pulled off the greatest upset in Rugby World Cup history, beating the Springboks 34-32 and causing aggressive brandy drinking around South Africa.

Now, just over four years later, Uruguay has added its name to the list of World Cup ‘David versus Goliath’ victors, beating Fiji 30-27 to record their first tournament win in 16 years.

Whilst not as much of an upset as 2015’s result, there was also a cathartic element to the encounter, reports the Telegraph:

While this was technically a tier-two side beating another, there is a gulf in both talent and pedigree between Uruguay and a Fiji side who had rattled Australia on Saturday in Sapporo. The perennial giant-killers ended up being felled by underdogs smaller than themselves. Uruguay’s mainly amateur players were magnificent. They tackled their hearts out and feasted on a plethora of Fijian mistakes. Tears flowed in the stands and on the pitch at the final whistle.

This was about so much more than just another World Cup game. For Kamaishi as a city, it was an act of cathartic celebration after the devastation wrought by the 2011 tsunami. Surrounded by lush hilly woodland, Kamaishi Recovery Memorial Stadium might just be the most picturesque stadium in world rugby. Certainly it is the most poignant. Built on the site of two former schools which were demolished by the 2011 tsunami that would claim more than 1,000 lives in the city. The current breakwater lies just 500 metres away.

All around the the stadium there are memorials to the dead, yet for the people this was a means of paying respect while starting what many a calling a new chapter.

Before we check out just how much this win meant to the Uruguayan skipper, let’s see the highlights:

Plenty of raw emotion at the final whistle, but special mention to Uruguay captain Juan Manuel Gaminara for his post-match interview:

¡FELICITACIONES CAPITÁN!@Juangaminara @RugbyUruguay #RWC2019 #RWCKamaishi #FIJvURU #WebbEllisCup pic.twitter.com/j22mhDlYvK

— Rugby World Cup ES (@rugbyworldcupes) September 25, 2019

That’s how much it means to them.

Tomorrow morning at 9:45AM, Canada will look to stage an upset and beat Italy, before England take on the USA at 12:45PM.

[source:telegraph]