Postpublished at 19:58 British Summer Time 15 October 2023
France v South Africa (20:00 BST)
Image source, Getty ImagesLa Marseillaise in Paris. It's up there with the greatest anthems isn't it? Spine-tingling stuff. That's 1-0 to the hosts.
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
Postpublished at 19:58 British Summer Time 15 October 2023
Image source, Getty ImagesTUNE IN!published at 19:56 British Summer Time 15 October 2023
France v South Africa (20:00 BST)
BBC Radio 5 LiveWe have had one cracker today in Marseille and it is a time for another one in Paris.
You can tune into BBC Radio 5 Live or head up to the top of this page and click the icon to listen to France taking on South Africa!
A moment of silencepublished at 19:55 British Summer Time 15 October 2023
France v South Africa (20:00 BST)
World Rugby and the France 2023 Organising Committee confirmed , externalthat a moment’s silence will be observed ahead of the Rugby World Cup 2023 quarter-finals this weekend as a mark of solidarity with all those affected by the tragic events in Israel, Gaza and Arras in France.
Postpublished at 19:54 British Summer Time 15 October 2023
France v South Africa (20:00 BST)
Image source, Getty ImagesHere come the sides. South Africa skipper Siya Kolisi built like a Sequoia in the tunnel, counterpart Antoine Dupont barely bigger than the mascot taking his hand.
A clash of styles awaits...
How they line uppublished at 19:51 British Summer Time 15 October 2023
France v South Africa (20:00 BST)
Image source, Getty ImagesFrance: Ramos; Penaud, Fickou, Danty, Bielle-Biarrey; Jalibert, Dupont (capt); Baille, Mauvaka, Atonio, Woki, Flament, Jelonch, Ollivon, Alldritt.
Replacements: Bourgarit, Wardi, Aldegheri, Taofifenua, Cros, Macalou, Lucu, Moefana.
South Africa: Willemse; Arendse, Kriel, De Allende, Kolbe; Libbok, Reinach; Kitshoff, Mbonambi, Malherbe, Etzebeth, Mostert, Kolisi (capt), Du Toit, Vermeulen.
Replacements: Fourie, Nche, Koch, Snyman, Smith, De Klerk, Pollard, Le Roux.
get involved Get Involvedpublished at 19:49 British Summer Time 15 October 2023
#bbcrugby, via WhatsApp on 03301 231826 or text 81111 (UK only, standard message rates apply)
Image source, ReutersJamie: I think France and South Africa have England to worry about. May the best team win.
Taj: I think France will beat South Africa in this one. 29-28. Last second drop-goal.
'Dupont has a big difference on his team-mates'published at 19:48 British Summer Time 15 October 2023
France v South Africa (20:00 BST)
Image source, Getty ImagesFrance coach Raphael Ibanez on ITV before kick-off, on Antoine Dupont's return: "We strictly followed the surgeons' advice and then Antoine Dupont trained well. He is a top player and he has a big difference on his team-mates - that is why he will play tonight."
On playing South Africa in a quarter-final: "I suppose we go for a tight game. The plan is to take any scoring opportunity, this is knockout stage and this is what it is all about."
get involved Get Involvedpublished at 19:47 British Summer Time 15 October 2023
#bbcrugby, via WhatsApp on 03301 231826 or text 81111 (UK only, standard message rates apply)
I hope this game lives up to its billing. I'd like to see France win and go all the way as it would be great to see the Northern Hemisphere have a second winner of the World Cup. That said, I think South Africa will be the first team to win the Cup 4 times. They've got too much physicality for the French and they'd have learnt their lessons from their loss to Ireland. South Africa to win by 7 points.
Andy
'France are ready'published at 19:46 British Summer Time 15 October 2023
France v South Africa (20:00 BST)
Thierry Dusautoir
Former France forward on Rugby Union Daily
Image source, Getty ImagesImage caption, Faf de Klerk starts on the bench tonight for France but will he play a big part?
I am excited to see France at this level with so much confidence. It is true I would have preferred to play Ireland because South Africa is playing a physical game. Even if we win this game I do not know the cost of this game.
It will be hard for the French side, but I think they are ready for the challenge.
Postpublished at 19:43 British Summer Time 15 October 2023
Who do you fancy to cross the tryline tonight?
Top scorer in the WCpublished at 19:43 British Summer Time 15 October 2023
France v South Africa (20:00 BST)
Image source, Getty ImagesFrance wing Damian Penaud has 35 Test tries and is only four tries away from overtaking the great Serge Blanco as France's all-time top try-scorer.
He is also only two tries away from equalling the record for most tries in a World Cup - the eight scored by Jonah Lomu in 1999, Bryan Habana in 2007 and Julian Savea in 2015.
No rain tonightpublished at 19:41 British Summer Time 15 October 2023
France v South Africa (20:00 BST)
Image source, Getty ImagesTheir only previous World Cup meeting came in the semi-final of 1995, best remembered for being the wettest game in Rugby World Cup history, after the match was postponed for one hour as ground staff attempted to clear the water-logged pitch after heavy rain.
Image source, Getty Images'Kolisi is a net contribution player'published at 19:41 British Summer Time 15 October 2023
France v South Africa (20:00 BST)
Bobby Skinstad
Former South Africa captain on BBC Radio 5 Live
Image source, Getty ImagesSpringboks skipper Siya Kolisi is a net contribution player - he is not a flashy guy. When he is on the field he makes 18 to 20 tackles and also makes another 20 assist tackles.
When someone is doing that much work, it frees up those around him to do extra.
Capt. Marvelpublished at 19:40 British Summer Time 15 October 2023
France v South Africa (20:00 BST)
Image source, Getty ImagesIn his 20th test as captain, Antoine Dupont is yet to lose a match on home soil when leading the team, winning all 14 games. Only Thierry Dusautoir (15) has captained Les Bleus to more victories in France.
He captained France to their first win against the Springboks in 13 years in 2022.
'Brutality and physicality' on displaypublished at 19:36 British Summer Time 15 October 2023
France v South Africa (20:00 BST)
Matt Dawson
Former England scrum-half on Rugby Union Daily podcast
Image source, Getty ImagesIt stares you in the face, the brutality and physicality that South Africa and France have.
The scrum-half battle, I am thinking South Africa are saying we are putting a scrum-half in there who will challenge the fringes.
Cobus Reinach is Olympic quick, that is something for France to think about.
Dupont startspublished at 19:35 British Summer Time 15 October 2023
France v South Africa (20:00 BST)
Image source, Getty ImagesWith one metal plate, a scrum-cap and 21 days of recovery, Antoine Dupont and his jaw are officially ready for the knockout stage of the World Cup.
The astounding recovery from a fractured cheekbone sustained against Namibia on 21 September, leaves the scrum-half ready for a bruising and physical quarter-final encounter with defending champions South Africa.
At 5ft 9in, Dupont regularly defies the laws of rugby physics with his freakish strength, as demonstrated in the Six Nations when he dragged Ireland's Mack Hansen back over the tryline in Dublin.
But coming up against a huge Springbok pack, who live and breathe for big collisions, is it wise to play his normal game given the severity of his injury?
The pressure cookerpublished at 19:33 British Summer Time 15 October 2023
France v South Africa (20:00 BST)
Image source, Getty ImagesThis will be the first time France have played a Rugby World Cup quarter-final on home soil since 1991 at Parc des Princes, after their 2007 match against the All Blacks was played in Cardiff.
They have never won a Rugby World Cup knock-out game in France, after losing the 1991 quarter-final at Parc des Princes, and the 2007 semi-final and bronze final at Stade de France.
Pressure or what..?
'It cannot get any bigger'published at 19:30 British Summer Time 15 October 2023
France v South Africa (20:00 BST)
Joel Stransky
Former South Africa fly-half on Rugby Union Daily
Image source, Getty ImagesIt is huge, the defending champions against the host nation, in Paris it cannot get bigger.
It is two giants against each other, it is going to be massive.
To beat France you have to carry well. Cobus Reinach has been good at scrum-half, I think every now and again Faf de Klerk kicks the ball away where he should not be kicking and that is why he's been left out.
Pollard out, Libbock inpublished at 19:28 British Summer Time 15 October 2023
France v South Africa (20:00 BST)
Paul Grayson
Former England fly-half on BBC Radio 5 Live
Image source, Getty ImagesSouth Africa's selection is interesting. At this point you would go with one of your reliable half-backs in Andre Pollard as a goal-kicker. But they haven't.
In a game which every game is going to count, Manie Libbok has only kicked 50% of his attempts.
'The ticker is going proper'published at 19:26 British Summer Time 15 October 2023
FT: England 30-24 Fiji
Image source, Getty ImagesEngland prop Ellis Genge on BBC Radio 5 Live, after England's victory: "Not good for the heart that, especially after you have had fair bit of caffeine - the ticker is going proper.
"I have been in that situation with Coley [Dan Cole] before in the Premiership final.
"We knew what we had to do to front up, honestly I am tattered and torn, I take my hat off to Fiji.
"Cole just raises his eyebrows and stays cool, but I am over the moon to get to Rugby World Cup semi-final."
On England improving: "Massive. Leaps and bounds. Like I said there is loads of work to do, if you play against Fiji and think they will not comeback then you are naive. We are bit upset we let it slip away [the lead].
"We will go back to the hotel and have a few chats and work out what we need to improve. But winning brings you together.
"Everyone on 5 Live said we would not get through to the quarter-finals... I am only winding you [Chris Jones, BBC rugby union correspondent] up, you heard people say we had an easy group, but I beg to differ!"