“What might be higher” – France on quarter-final v South Africa
England will play South Africa within the Rugby World Cup semi-finals after the Springboks defeated hosts France in an epic conflict in Paris.
Defending champions South Africa edged a titanic contest 29-28, with Eben Etzebeth’s highly effective strive within the 67th minute incomes the Springboks victory in a match that delivered drama and depth of the very best order.
Handre Pollard then prolonged South Africa’s lead with a penalty and though Thomas Ramos lower their lead again to 1 level, the holders broke France hearts as they held on to an exhilarating victory.
The primary half will go down as one of many biggest ever seen, with three tries apiece amid an unbelievable show of tempo, physicality and talent from each side.
But it surely was the Springboks who held their nerve in what was a battle for the ages, and they’re going to now play England subsequent Saturday after they edged Fiji in one other dramatic quarter-final contest.
Observe all of the response from Paris after South Africa knocked the hosts out of the Rugby World Cup
Rugby World Cup 2023: France vs South Africa
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FULL-TIME: France 28-29 South Africa
The barest of margins however the all-important strive got here through the bulldozing run of Eben Etzebeth:
Ben Fleming15 October 2023 22:02
FULL-TIME: France 28-29 South Africa
What an advert for Check match rugby these set of quarter-finals have been.
That recreation, specifically, had all of it and it’s the South Africans who’ve simply edged it in the long run and they’re going to show an almighty take a look at for England subsequent weekend.
Ben Fleming15 October 2023 22:00
FULL-TIME: France 28-29 South Africa
Their defence holds agency and because the ball drops free, it’s thumped into the stands and the host nation are out.
What a efficiency from the defending champions who repelled that early electrical begin from France and eeked out a slim win within the second half because of Etzebeth’s try to Pollard’s penalty.
Ben Fleming15 October 2023 21:54
France 28-29 South Africa
80 minutes: Into the purple and on France come. One level separates the edges however the hosts need to be excellent.
Ben Fleming15 October 2023 21:53
France 28-29 South Africa
79 minutes: An enormous break from Penaud as they storm up the pitch from their very own scrum inside their 22. However now a large turnover from South Africa!
Only one minute to go as they kick it lengthy.
Ben Fleming15 October 2023 21:52
France 28-29 South Africa
78 minutes: Loads of strain from South Africa on the French tryline because the scrum is reset plenty of occasions. Enormous moments developing now for each side.
Ben Fleming15 October 2023 21:50
France 28-29 South Africa
74 minutes: Kolbe tries his luck with a shock drop-goal try however it goes extensive.
A nervy ultimate six minutes awaits…
Ben Fleming15 October 2023 21:45
PENALTY! France 28-29 South Africa (Ramos, 72 minutes)
That four-point lead didn’t final lengthy. France hit again immediately after a divine kick catches out the Springboks’ blitz defence once more. Jalibert gathers the ball fantastically and from their the house aspect win a penalty.
The factors are taken and we’re again to a one-point recreation.
Ben Fleming15 October 2023 21:43
PENALTY! France 25-29 South Africa (Pollard, 69 minutes)
The substitute fly-half makes no mistake because the long-range effort sails over the posts.
South Africa lengthen their result in 4.
Ben Fleming15 October 2023 21:40
France 25-26 South Africa
68 minutes: And now one other penalty for South Africa. Kwagga Smith with a big impact off the bench and his aspect have a penalty on the midway line.
That’s inside Pollard’s vary.
Ben Fleming15 October 2023 21:39
