France v South Africa LIVE: Rugby World Cup 2023 result from thriller as England learn semi-final opponent
France 28-29 South Africa: The Springboks will play England in the World Cup semi-finals after winning an epic clash against the hosts in Paris
England will play South Africa in the Rugby World Cup semi-finals after the Springboks defeated hosts France in an epic clash in Paris.
Defending champions South Africa edged a titanic contest 29-28, with Eben Etzebeth’s powerful try in the 67th minute earning the Springboks victory in a match that delivered drama and intensity of the highest order.
Handre Pollard then extended South Africa’s lead with a penalty and although Thomas Ramos cut their lead back to one point, the holders broke France hearts as they held on to a thrilling victory.
The first half will go down as one of the greatest ever seen, with three tries apiece amid an unbelievable display of pace, physicality and skill from both sides.
But it was the Springboks who held their nerve in what was a battle for the ages, and they will now play England next Saturday after they edged Fiji in another dramatic quarter-final contest.
Follow all the reaction from Paris after South Africa knocked the hosts out of the Rugby World Cup
France 22-19 South Africa
52 mins: Still awaiting the first points of the second half but France continue their pressure in and around the Springbok tryline. Another platform from the set piece here - they will want come away with something.
France 22-19 South Africa
50 mins: A break in play allows Etzebeth to return to the field. He was sin-binned on the brink of half-time and his yellow card was not upgraded after a TMO review.
France 22-19 South Africa
48 mins: Jalibert is having another one of those games in the number ten jersey as his quick feet allows yet another break, this time from Ollivon. France in the ascendancy after the break.
France 22-19 South Africa
45 mins: A double change for the Springboks as both their half-backs makes way. De Klerk and Pollard into the fray, as is Snyman who replaces Mostert in the second row.
France 22-19 South Africa
43 mins: France win the turnover in the middle of the park and, within an instant, are right up around the Springbok 22. In the end, Jalibert’s mistake gifts South Africa back the ball but it’s a warning sign early in the second period.
KICK-OFF! France 22-19 South Africa
41 mins: 15 minutes break and back under way in this quarter-final.
Who will prevail in this classic encounter?
HALF-TIME: France 22-19 South Africa
Let’s have a look at the pick of the tries from that try-fest in the first half.
France opened the scoring after just two minutes with Baille:
The two sides traded scores all throughout the half before Kolbe put South Africa ahead for the second time midway through the half:
But France hit back again as Baille doubled his total around the half-hour mark:
HALF-TIME: France 22-19 South Africa
Breathtaking rugby in Paris:
HALF-TIME: France 22-19 South Africa
And breathe...
A simply relentless first 40 minutes comes to its conclusion and it’s France who have a narrow three-point advantage.
Six tries were scored - three for each side - in that frenetic first half. More of the same after the break, please.
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