Summary

  • Holders South Africa knock out France in pulsating quarter-final in Paris

  • Springboks will face England in Saturday's semi-final at Stade de France

  • Converted Eben Etzebeth try gives South Africa lead late in second half

  • Handre Pollard penalty from inside his own half seals nail-biting victory

  • Teams shared six tries in sensational end-to-end first half

  • France captain Antoine Dupont played after recovering from fractured cheekbone

  1. Postpublished at 15 mins

    France 7-7 South Africa

    Well, you're not wrong there. The depth in rugby union may have improved but the very best are still exactly that.

    A reminder that whichever team comes out on top will face England - and France have been gifted a penalty here.

  2. get involved

    Get Involvedpublished at 20:15 British Summer Time 15 October 2023

    #bbcrugby, via WhatsApp on 03301 231826 or text 81111 (UK only, standard message rates apply)

    Peato Mauvaka of France is tackled by Jesse Kriel and Damian WillemseImage source, Getty Images

    Goodness me. The difference in quality, intensity, speed and desire vs the other side of the draw is stark.

    Anon

  3. Postpublished at 14 mins

    France 7-7 South Africa

    Apologies, it's South Africa's feed at the scrum and they do well to move the ball out and get it hoofed to safety.

  4. Postpublished at 12 mins

    France 7-7 South Africa

    They don't make forwards like they used to, France's front rows are popping up on the wing time and again, they can really shift.

    France have a scrum in a dangerous area. You know what that means from the stands: Allez les Bleus!

  5. Postpublished at 10 mins

    France 7-7 South Africa

    Not your average 10 minutes of rugby union.

  6. Stade de France stunnedpublished at 20:11 British Summer Time 15 October 2023

    France 7-7 South Africa

    Bobby Skinstad
    Former South Africa captain on BBC Radio 5 Live

    South Africa's wing Kurt-Lee Arendse celebrates with South Africa's scrum-half Cobus ReinachImage source, Getty Images

    Helter skelter stuff. Both sides have taken the two opportunities that they have got, a piece of luck for the Springboks.

    South Africa with the up-and-under and they are back in the game.

  7. try

    Try - France 7-7 South Africapublished at 8 mins

    Kurt-Lee Arendse (con Libbok)

    Kurt-Lee Arendse dives over to scoreImage source, Getty Images

    Wowwwwweeee what a start!

    South Africa have barely had a touch of the ball but after they compete well with a high ball it bounces kindly and winger Kurt-Lee Arendse absolutely burns away to run in from a mile out.

    Manie Libbok has been criticised for his kicking and he nails a beauty from wide on the right.

    Game very much on.

  8. get involved

    Get Involvedpublished at 20:09 British Summer Time 15 October 2023

    #bbcrugby, via WhatsApp on 03301 231826 or text 81111 (UK only, standard message rates apply)

    The speed with which France are playing is awe inspiring. No one can match them when they play like this!

    Alex

    Thomas Ramos of France in action against Cheslin KolbeImage source, Getty Images
  9. Postpublished at 8 mins

    France 7-0 South Africa

    The crowd want a penalty for a deliberate knock on as Eben Stzebeth gets a massive paw to the ball to cut out a pass but it went backwards. That's a try-saving intervention from the giant lock.

  10. Postpublished at 6 mins

    France 7-0 South Africa

    This is staggering from France, they are cutting South Africa to ribbons. Hooker Peato Mauvaka drives through a hole and is nearly in before they go left and Jonathan Danty is held up yards from the line.

    South Africa are hanging on.

  11. 'Perfect start from France'published at 20:07 British Summer Time 15 October 2023

    France 7-0 South Africa

    Paul Grayson
    Former England fly-half on BBC Radio 5 Live

    It was a ferocious driving maul, the loose-head prop Cyril Baille gets it down. That is the perfect start from France.

  12. try

    Try - France 7-0 South Africapublished at 4 mins

    Cyril Baille (con Ramos)

    Cyril Baille of France scores a tryImage source, Getty Images

    A stunning start from France! A quick lineout is gathered and mauled, South Africa are pushed back and when the ball comes out wing Damian Penaud quickly flicks it wide to prop Cyril Baille, who finishes in style!

    Thomas Ramos has a massive angle to combat but drifts his kick over the posts beautifully.

  13. Postpublished at 3 mins

    France 0-0 South Africa

    Three times already France have tried a smart kick in behind the South Africa line. It's one way to beat the blitz.

  14. No trypublished at 2 mins

    France 0-0 South Africa

    Louis Bielle-Biarrey was the winger chasing the kick and he didn't get there - just!

  15. Postpublished at 2 mins

    France 0-0 South Africa

    South Africa wing Kurt-Lee Arendse makes the first meaningful run into space but France soon have the ball back and in the hands of skipper Antoine Dupont. France quickly try a kick in behind and is that a try straight away?!

  16. get involved

    Get Involvedpublished at 20:02 British Summer Time 15 October 2023

    #bbcrugby, via WhatsApp on 03301 231826 or text 81111 (UK only, standard message rates apply)

    The Little Magician v The Bokalypse. If Dupont can take the hits from those Springbok beast forwards then France can win it, but like the All Blacks South Africa are a special breed they know how to get the job done. Too close to call. Another epic test match incoming!

    John

  17. Kick-offpublished at 20:01 British Summer Time 15 October 2023

    France 0-0 South Africa

    Away we go!

  18. All eyes on Dupont?published at 20:01 British Summer Time 15 October 2023

    France v South Africa (20:00 BST)

    PhotographersImage source, Getty Images

    Le petit general is fit and starting. Will he dictate this final?

  19. get involved

    Get Involvedpublished at 20:00 British Summer Time 15 October 2023

    #bbcrugby, via WhatsApp on 03301 231826 or text 81111 (UK only, standard message rates apply)

    I fancy South Africa to stop Les Blues tonight and go on to retain their RWC title. Experience on the pitch and the ability of their coaches to adapt and adjust to changing circumstances might see them sneak past the hosts tonight, and they will have far too much for England & New Zealand.

    Andrew

  20. Postpublished at 20:00 British Summer Time 15 October 2023

    France v South Africa (20:00 BST)

    Three host nations have won the Rugby World Cup to date - including South Africa of course in 1995.

    Can France make it four?