Japan's wonderful World Cup journey came to an end against South Africa as they were outmuscled at the Tokyo Stadium.
It just wasn't to be today for the hosts as the side that they so famously beat in Brighton at the 2015 Rugby World Cup ended their tournament.
The former minnows can hold their heads up high after big wins over Ireland and Scotland and should look back fondly on their efforts in the years to come.
South Africa secured a 26-3 victory in the end but were seriously tested by a passionate Japanese side.
Things were looking ominous at the start for the Brave Blossoms when Springbok winger Makazole Mapimpi went in for a try after only three minutes.
However, the momentum shifted when Tendai 'The Beast' Mtawarira was sent to the sin-bin for a tip-tackle on Keita Inagaki.
Japan took control of the game from there and got on the scoreboard through a penalty from Yu Tamura after 20 minutes.
The Springboks were able to absorb the Japanese pressure and led 5-3 at the break.
South Africa started the second-half strong and Handre Pollard kicked two penalties to put his side 8 points clear with half-an-hour of the game remaining.
Jamie Joseph's men just couldn't find a way to break down South Africa's defence, despite having plenty of the ball.
Pollard missed one long-range penalty but got another in the 63rd minute to make the score 14-3.
The killer blow came in the 66th minute when star scrum-half Faf de Klerk dived over for a try to quash any hopes of another famous Japanese victory.
The Brave Blossoms looked like they were finally about to make a breakthrough but South Africa piled on the misery when Mapimpi went over for his second try in the corner with less than 10 minutes remaining.
That's how it remained until the full-time whistle and Rassie Erasmus' side can now look ahead to playing Wales in the RWC semi-final.
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