SOUTH Africa knocked tournament hosts France out of the Rugby World Cup as they won a sensational quarter-final match in Paris.
The reigning champions came out on top in a breathtaking contest at the Stade de France, with many pundits already lauding it as the best game in the competition’s history. The two heavyweights traded blows in what was a game of two halves, the first open and free-flowing and the second more tense and tightly fought, but a second-half try from Eben Etzebeth helped his side to a 28-29 win for the Springboks
England, who beat Fiji earlier in the day, now await South Africa in the semi-final, with the hosts now in with a chance of lifting their first ever World Cup on home turf. Either New Zealand, who they played in the opening game of the tournament, or Argentina will be their opponents in the final if they can firstly make it past Steve Borthwick’s men.
Tonight’s match had been earmarked as a potential classic ever since the quarter-final draw was confirmed and it certainly did not disappoint as it took just four minutes to spark into life, with prop Cyril Baille touching down in the corner to open the scoring. A ferocious start from the hosts saw them nearly add a second moments later, but some fine defensive work from Eben Etzebeth kept them at bay, with Kurt-Lee Arendse tying things up within the first 10 minutes.
The Boks then got their noses in front as Damian De Allende crossed from close range, but France hit back almost straightaway as a quickly taken penalty from the returning Antoine Dupont allowed hooker Peato Mauvaka to cross in the same corner as his front row companion Baille.
A blistering opening half an hour was capped with a fifth try and it was South Africa who edged ahead again, as Cheslin Kolbe raced down the left wing to score before Manie Libbok added the extras. There was still time for yet another twist before the half-time whistle, however, as Baille grabbed his second try before a Thomas Ramos penalty saw France go into the break 22-19 ahead.
The second half started less frantically, with Ramos stretching his side’s slender lead from the tee before Etzebeth powered over the line as the lead changed hands yet again, with Handre Pollard nailing a penalty to put them further in front with just over 10 minutes remaining.
It was always going to go down to the wire and after Ramos’ faithful boot made it 28-29 in the 72nd minute, the home crowd kept the faith and urged their team forward as the clock counted down. But despite a late fightback, it wasn’t to be, with South Africa breaking French hearts as a fine defensive display in the final seconds saw them through to the semi-final. – WalesOnline
