JP Pietersen made a big impact as a substitute for the Panasonic Wild Knights, who thrashed the Toshiba Brave Lupus 55-15 in the first semi-final of Japan's Top League on Saturday.

The Bok wing had not been on the field for long when he gathered a kick just behind the Toshiba 10m line in the 54th minute. He evaded one defender and then brushed off another two before being brought down inside the 22. The ball went wide and Panasonic scored in the left corner.

Pietersen was also instrumental in the try that saw his team reach the 50-point mark.

Former Wallabies back Berrick Barnes produced a good goal-kicking display for the first-placed Panasonic and controlled the game well, while ex-All Blacks centre Richard Kahui started for the fourth-placed Toshiba.

There will be a host of South Africans involved in Sunday's semi-final, with Fourie du Preez starting at scrumhalf for the second-placed Suntory Sungoliath, and lock Andries Bekker, flyhalf Peter Grant and centre Jaque Fourie representing the Kobe Kobelco Steelers, who finished third on the log.

The match is at 6:55 SA time and will be broadcast on SuperSport 1 and HD1.

Photo: Japan Rugby Union