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 captain Antoine Dupont fit and ‘fully ready’ for World Cup quarter-final
Captain Antoine Dupont has declared himself “fully ready” to lead France in the World Cup quarter-final against South Africa as he prepares to return to the starting XV just over three weeks after a broken cheekbone had him fearing his involvement in the tournament was over.
The 2021 world player of the year underwent surgery after going off injured following a head-on-head tackle from Namibia captain Johan Deysel in Les Bleus’ third pool match in Marseille on September 21, leaving the host nation fretting about their talisman’s availability for the remainder of the competition.
After resuming full training this week, Dupont has satisfied medics and coaching staff that he is ready to start the box-office Stade de France showdown with the world champions.
“I feel very well,” said the 26-year-old scrum-half, speaking at Les Bleus’ team announcement press conference at Roland Garros on Friday. “At the time, I didn’t know how serious the injury was so I thought the competition was over for me.
“I had to wait to get my hope back. I was lucky enough to have several weeks to rejuvenate and repair and have a full training week with the group.Today I am fully capable to be ready for this game on Sunday.”
France and South Africa prepare to go to ‘dark place’ to keep World Cup dream alive
It was Steven Kitshoff who delivered the most chilling warning of what to expect at the Stade de France this evening. “You’re going to have to go to a dark place quite early in this game,” he grimaced.
And as the flame-haired South African prop continued, the lengths to which his Springbok counterparts and their French foes might have to go in order to reach a Rugby World Cup semi-final were laid out even more clearly. “Because of where the physicality is going to be, it might get to a point where some players haven’t been and we will see if both teams are willing to go to that dark spot,” he concluded ominously.
South Africa’s 13-8 group-stage defeat to Ireland has been the most compellingly physical match of the tournament so far. The No 1 and No 2-ranked sides knocked seven bells out of each other in a vintage display of pure Test match rugby, but Sunday’s quarter-final might just top it.
The Springboks are renowned for their intensity and sanctioned brutality on the rugby field – it has long been their calling card. Opposition used to try to out-think or go round, rather than through, them and, while this sometimes worked, the South Africans often prevailed. See the 1995, 2007 and 2019 World Cups for examples. Now, the best teams seem to have tacitly acknowledged that you need to physically match, or even bully, them as Ireland so brilliantly did last month.
Read the full preview of today’s game from our reporter Luke Baker, in Paris:
France and South Africa prepare to go to ‘dark place’ to keep World Cup dream alive
Antoine Dupont returns for Les Bleus and is prepared ‘to suffer’ for quarter-final glory against the physical Springboks
South Africa team news
In a minor surprise, Cobus Reinach starts ahead of Faf de Klerk at scrum-half with Manie Libbok keeping hold of the No 10 jersey, despite an expectation that the experience and superior goal-kicking of Handre Pollard might be preferred.
De Klerk and Pollard are both on the bench in a more conventional 5-3 split of forwards to back, eschewing the controversial 7-1 split from earlier in the tournament.
Lineups
South Africa XV: 15 Damian Willemse; 14 Kurt-Lee Arendse, 13 Jesse Kriel, 12 Damian de Allende, 11 Cheslin Kolbe; 10 Manie Libbok, 9 Cobus Reinach; 1 Steven Kitshoff, 2 Bongi Mbonambi, 3 Frans Malherbe; 4 Eben Etzebeth, 5 Franco Mostert; 6 Siya Kolisi, 7 Pieter-Steph du Toit, 8 Duane Vermeulen.
Replacements: 16 Deon Fourie, 17 Ox Nche, 18 Vincent Koch, 19 RG Snyman, 20 Kwagga Smith; 21 Faf de Klerk, 22 Handre Pollard, 23 Willie le Roux.
France team news
France received a huge boost with news that talismanic captain Antoine Dupont is fit enough to be named as the starting scrum half.
Dupont – who is the face of the home World Cup in France – has been sidelined since suffering a fractured cheekbone in France’s pool stage win over Namibia, with fears that he would be ruled out of the tournament. France make no other changes to their starting XV with Maxime Lucu, Dupont’s deputy, dropping to the bench.
France XV: 15. Thomas Ramos, 14. Damian Penaud, 13. Gael Fickou, 12. Jonathan Danty, 11. Louis Bielle-Biarrey, 10. Matthieu Jalibert, 9. Antoine Dupont; 1. Cyril Baille, 2. Peato Mauvaka, 3. Uini Atonio, 4. Cameron Woki, 5. Thibaud Flament, 6. Anthony Jelonch, 7. Charles Ollivon, 8. Gregory Alldritt.
Replacements: 16. Pierre Bourgarit, 17. Reda Wardi, 18. Dorian Aldegheri, 19. Romain Taofifenua, 20. Francois Cros, 21. Sekou Macalou, 22. Maxime Lucu, 23. Yoram Moefana
When is France vs South Africa and how can I watch it?
When is France vs South Africa?
The quarter-final is due to kick off at 8pm BST on Sunday 15th October at Stade de France in Paris.
How can I watch it?
Viewers in the United Kingdom can watch the match live on ITV1 from 7.15pm BST.
Registered viewers can also stream the match online for free on ITVX.
If you’re travelling abroad and want to watch the event, you might need a VPN to unblock your streaming app. Our VPN round-up is here to help and includes deals on VPNs in the market. Viewers using a VPN need to make sure that they comply with any local regulations where they are and also with the terms of their service provider.
Is France vs South Africa on TV? Channel, start time and how to watch Rugby World Cup
The hosts France take on defending World Cup champions South Africa in a mouthwatering fourth Rugby World Cup quarter-final.
The Springboks have won seven of the last eight Tests against France but fell to a dramatic defeat in their last meeting in Marseille last November.
This match will be only the second time the two sides have faced each other at a World Cup, the first being in 1995 when they met in the semi-finals. South Africa, the hosts of that tournament, beat France 19-15 to progress to the final where they would be crowned champions for the first.
France are unbeaten at this World Cup heading into the match, while South Africa suffered a loss to Ireland in the pool stages. The winner will face either England or Fiji in the semi-finals.
Here’s everything you need to know ahead of the match.
Is France vs South Africa on TV? Channel, start time and how to watch Rugby World Cup
Everything you need to know ahead of the quarter-final clash
France vs South Africa - LIVE
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France vs South Africa
Welcome to The Independent’s live coverage of France vs South Africa in Paris!
Defending champions South Africa will hope to get back to winning ways against France while Fabien Galthié’s side look to maintain their winning run at home.
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