Rugby fans have slammed touts for cashing in on World Cup tickets and denying genuine fans a “once in a lifetime opportunity”.

The Argus has uncovered touts selling tickets for the South Africa versus Japan fixture priced at £345 – more than four times the face of the most expensive tickets, which cost £85.

It comes less than a month after thousands of disappointed fans were left without tickets because of demand for the fixtures at the American Express Community Stadium next year.

The South Africa game on September 19 next year is one of two sold-out World Cup matches to be played in Brighton, with the Samoa and USA clash taking place the following day.

Tickets for that match are also being advertised on eBay for as much as £295.

More than 300,000 fans applied to see the two fixtures.

Tournament organisers said 300,000 tickets are still available at other venues and will go on sale with priority access for previously unsuccessful applicants.

Remaining tickets will go on general sale on a first come, first served basis on November 28.

It is not the first time that tickets for major events at the Amex have been targeted. In January, tickets for Rod Stewart’s gig were exchanging hands for £300 on eBay and Gumtree.

Native South African and rugby fan Andy Winter said: “I am disgusted but not surprised that the ticket touts have swooped on this fixture. It’s disappointing that the International Rugby Board have not done more to ensure that the tickets that have been sold do go to genuine supporters.

“How can they allow profiteering like this?

“I am absolutely gutted to be missing out on watching the Springboks play in Brighton. It is a once in a lifetime opportunity.”

An ER2015 spokesman said organisers had taken a number of steps to reduce the risk of touts by limiting the number of tickets one person can purchase for major/popular matches, operating a ballot for applications to maximise the number of people applying and the wide distribution of tickets and a unique ticket design.

Tickets will also be dispatched in late summer 2015 to limit counterfeit opportunities and a resale service will operate from spring 2015 so customers can sell unwanted tickets at face value.

The spokesman said: “We have had a long dialogue with the Department of Culture, Media and Sport over the protection of tickets for Rugby World Cup 2015 but have been unable to secure legislative protection.

“As the organising committee, we are conscious of doing all we can to protect the genuine fan and keep the tournament as accessible and affordable as possible, which is why we are putting a number of security measures in place.”