Skipper Michael Leitch has vowed to show what makes Japan so special today.

And it all starts with a lot of hard work.

The experienced flanker will be a proud man as he leads his side out to face mighty South Africa at the Amex.

He would be even prouder if they could claim only the second win in their World Cup history.

And he is convinced he is charge of a special group of players.

“What is special about this team is they are probably the hardest working Japanese team that has ever been together,” Leitch told The Argus at their base at the Hilton Metropole.

“Over four years we have trained at 5am. It’s a tough team.

“I owe a lot to Japan and I know Japanese rugby players work the hardest.

“We just want to show the world what the Japanese can do.”

Leitch, now 26, moved to Japan 11 years ago having been born in New Zealand of Fijian parents.

He immersed himself in Japanese culture and is fluent in the language.

He admitted: “You can feel like a New Zealander in a Japanese team.

“The middle line can be pretty difficult but it has been an interesting journey so far.

“I came over when I was 15, was here for three years and decided I wanted to play for Japan.

“I was never the best player in the team so I worked pretty hard to get to where I am at the moment.

“Japan has made me the player that I am.”