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Tournament hosts France bowed out of the World Cup in agonising fashion after losing by a point to defending champions South Africa as the Stade de France hosted another epic quarter-final that hung in the balance until the very last moment.
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Just 24 hours after New Zealand edged out Ireland in a six-try thriller in northern Paris, the other two members of the world’s top four served up a last-eight showdown that somehow eclipsed it for drama and scintillating rugby.
On a frenzied night when France’s talismanic captain Antoine Dupont made his much-hyped return following a broken cheekbone – sporting a scrum-cap – Les Bleus were defeated 29-28 as the defiant Boks held on to set up a semi-final showdown with England at the same venue next Saturday.
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Having experienced the hostility of the French crowd when they lost narrowly in Marseille last November, South Africa had been training with background noise blaring through speakers in the lead-up to the quarter-final.
The Boks’ efforts to combat the impact of the partisan home support looked futile in the early moments, however, as the French started like a train and threatened to blow their opponents away.
Les Bleus – eyeing a 19th consecutive home win – signalled their intent from the outset and Louis Bielle-Biarrey was desperately close to scoring in the second minute but he was just unable to get a firm enough hand on the ball to force it down after getting himself over the line on the left.
The French kept their foot to the floor, though, and they had their supporters in raptures in the fourth minute as prop Cyril Baille dotted over for an easy finish on the right following a ferocious maul towards the line after a quickly-taken lineout. Thomas Ramos added the extras.
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South Africa, summoning the resolve of champions, managed to stem the blue tide and get themselves a foothold in the game. They levelled things up out of nothing as a high ball over the top bounced kindly for Kurt-Lee Arendse, who burst over the line, with Manie Libbok adding the conversion.
Ramos attempted to edge the French back in front with a penalty attempt from just shy of the halfway line but it lacked the required distance.
Remarkably, it was the Boks who got themselves ahead in the 18th minute when Damian de Allende forced his way over at the second attempt. Libbok – whose inconsistent kicking has become a talking point in this tournament – was off target with the conversion.
The frenzied start continued when French hooker Peato Mauvaka forced his way over on the right for the fourth try of the evening in the 22nd minute. Adding to the drama, Ramos’ conversion attempt was brilliantly charged down by Cheslin Kolbe.
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That would ultimately prove crucial and the jet-heeled Kolbe had another big impact at the other end of the pitch five minutes later as he outpaced two French chasers to reach a clever kick through from Jesse Kriel and bolt over on the left. This time Libbok was on point with his conversion.
The French levelled things up again just after the half-hour when prop Baille pushed over for his second score, with Ramos converting.
The Boks suffered a blow at the end of the first half when lock Eben Etzebeth was yellow-carded for a head-on-head tackle on Uini Atonio. Ramos kicked the resulting penalty to ensure the French went in with a 22-19 lead at the end of one of the most exhilarating 40 minutes in Rugby World Cup history.
South Africa changed their half-back pairing early in the second half as they sent on Handre Pollard and Faf de Klerk for Libbok and Cobus Reinach, shortly before Etzebeth returned with no further damage done on the scoreboard in his absence.
With the pace of the game having subsided, Ramos stretched the French lead to six points with another penalty in the 54th minute.
However, the topsy-turvy nature of this titanic encounter continued and – just as France looked to have some control – the Boks got themselves a point ahead in the 67th minute when Etzebeth forced over for the seventh try of the night, converted by Pollard. And two minutes later, Pollard put his team four points to the good with a penalty.
Ramos reduced the deficit to a point with a kick of his own in the 72nd minute, setting up a grandstand finale, but the French were unable to muster one final score as their dreams of a first World Cup on home soil died.
Such a brilliant display of the game of rugby. Glè mhath – glee vath – very good / well done
An utterly epic match played out by two colossal teams with contrasting styles. French flair verus Bok dogged determination to stay in the fight.
Sympathy for the referee as this was a tough gig with so many marginal calls.
In the end, the Boks came through and goes to prove that winning a World Cup requires unbelievable depths of resilience. On the assumption that it will be an All Blacks versus Boks final, can these two teams step up another gear?
Hard done by if your French. Eben needed to at least concede the penalty for his slap down of the ball, Kolbe started his run well before the goal kicker moved in. Thought the Boks should've been penalised in the final couple of minutes.
However the Boks are scrappers, Allende had a huge impact on the outcome and Eben was as per his usual self.
The Boks know how to reduce the great game of rugby to an ugly, shapeless dogfight and seem to get away with offside rushing on defence and hands in and all over the post tackle ruck.
However the blatant using of HIA as a cover for refreshing and rotating their key forwards in the final quarter was deeply cynical and outrageous but well done to Rassie for saving this ‘innovation’ for a final but the WRU need to stop this from being allowed to be exploited by disappointingly poor sportsmanship regardless of team because everyone will start copying.
Noticed their reserve ‘hooker’ on at the same time as their hooker, packing on the side of the scrum. Don't think the backup front rowers should be allowed on at the same time as the front row, they're there for the safety of the scrum not as extra loose forwards whilst Du Toit, etc, are getting worked on in the sheds.
The up and under speculators to feed off opposition errors were typical, excellently chased and the other remaining teams need to be ready for plenty more of them.
However, still felt the French were ordinary in their first game, ended up winning it easily on the scoreboard, this may have given them the feeling they had less to work on.
France simply lacked the outright hunger and intensity today needed to win a rugby world cup. It was nearly good enough to beat the Boks who are somewhat less skilful but were far more desperate and ruthless to win at all costs.
The best team won.
Best game of this tournament so far. I do
recall the numerous comments by more colourful fans in various CS that were insistent that SA would be crashing out at the QFs. That’s aged well hasn’t it.
You know, several events by the SA team are to blame for the one point loss by France, Pollard’s conversion on the 55 yard line Etzebeths amazing defences but to me what stands out was Kolbes charge down of the conversion kick. That was freaking miraculous.
Great game as expected had everything required in finals rugby , huge hits , hard running , fast turnovers , wonderful tries.
Big shout out to Southern Hemisphere teams who despatched their Northern Hemisphere rivals to set up a three to one semi.
Once again Six Nations grand slams and all that stuff dont equate to RWC glory , its only provided one winner in thirty years which with money invested in European Rugby is a abysmal .
Im NZder so my money was on the ABs , ARGENTINA , SA , and that Fiji would test England , right in the money.
Ireland this , Wales that , and of coarse Le Blue thanks for the dreams you came you went.
May i suggest when the tears have cleared away and the soul searching is done a hoilday in sunny Australia would be the best way to unwind.
Mauri ora e
Have to say a special mention for le petite general. He was tremendous and I can see why they pulled all stops to get him to play, sadly it wasn’t to be this time as our Boks were very good to say the least .
Strange this writer say France dumped out of RWC but what about Ireland crashing OUT after almost winning the world cup
Such pathetic NH sentiments
These NH writers live in a surreal world
What an epic test match! As a Saffa: Congratulations and Thank You, France. If the score was one point to the other side, you would’ve been worthy winners, but it wasn’t to be.
Nonetheless, you were honourable and worthy opponents and I salute you.
What an epic game. Pleased to see the Boks go through. Hope they and our ABs meet in the final.