Head coach Heyneke Meyer admitted South Africa let their country down with a 34-32 loss to Japan at the Rugby World Cup.

The Springboks were stunned by an outstanding performance from underdogs Japan in Brighton on Saturday, Karne Hesketh crossing in time added on to seal the biggest shock in the competition's history.

Victory was just reward for Japan at the end of a thrilling Pool B encounter in which they controlled the scrum against a South Africa side aiming for a third World Cup title.

No side has won the tournament after losing a pool match and Meyer was quick to sum up the devastation of the defeat.

He told BBC Radio 5 live: "We scored four tries but our discipline was not good enough and we can't give so many penalties away.

"Their [Japan] defence was awesome but we have let our country down - it's not good enough."