Summary

  • England's World Cup dream ends in heartbreaking 16-15 semi-final defeat in Paris

  • Handre Pollard's 77th-minute penalty snatches victory at Stade de France

  • Converted RG Snyman try cut England's lead to 15-13 with 11 minutes left

  • Owen Farrell drop-goal had put England nine ahead in second half in Paris

  • England were seeking revenge for defeat in 2019 World Cup final

  • South Africa will play New Zealand in next Saturday's final

  1. Highlights: All Blacks cruise past Pumaspublished at 18:59 British Summer Time 21 October 2023

    Tonight's winner will face New Zealand in next week's final.

    The All Blacks booked their spot in a record fifth final with a comfortable win over Argentina on Friday...

  2. Postpublished at 18:57 British Summer Time 21 October 2023

    Confidence higher in the South Africa fans at the game than at home, it seems!

  3. 'BMT' to trump GMT?published at 18:56 British Summer Time 21 October 2023

    England v South Africa (20:00 GMT)

    Mike Henson
    BBC Sport at Stade de France

    South Africa fansImage source, BBC Sport

    England fans are heavily outnumbered by South Africans among the early arrivals at the Stade de France this evening.

    Koeie (back row, middle) and Alan (back row, far left) have flown in from Johannesburg and Lydenburg with their families and were here last weekend as well for the quarter-final win over France.

    They are confident of victory again, introducing me to the concept of South Africa's 'BMT'.

    Not some sort of time zone, as I first thought, but 'big match temperament'.

    They sniff some of the same stuff in Owen Farrell and are full of praise for Tom Curry and Ben Earl.

    But mostly they sniff a final. "I don't think it will be too much of a stretch," says Alan as he ponders the Boks' potential winning margin.

    "Maybe 20 points."

  4. So what are the Boks living in the UK making of it all?published at 18:55 British Summer Time 21 October 2023

    England v South Africa (20:00 BST)

    Sam Harris
    BBC Newsbeat sports reporter

    Ashleigh and Dylan picturedImage source, Ashleigh & Dylan

    BBC Newsbeat caught up with Dylan and Ashleigh Gouws, a couple who moved to London from South Africa last year.

    And surprisingly, the fans of the reigning world champions aren’t 100% confident.

    “I’m slightly nervous for this game, England on their day can turn up and beat anyone,” Dylan says.

    “I’m worried I might lose a few friends whatever the result is. There’s been plenty of banter between us.”

    Ashleigh says the pair have some English friends who “have very kindly opened up their doors and let us in so we’ll be heading over there”.

    “I’m usually quite cocky when it comes to South Africa games always thinking they’re going to win but this tournament I’ve had a few nervous moments for sure,” she says.

    “For the semi-final though I’m going to be super cheeky and predict a 32-12 win for South Africa. We like that score a lot.”

  5. get involved

    Get Involvedpublished at 18:53 British Summer Time 21 October 2023

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

    Taj: This is England's toughest game of the tournament. This South Africa team is 8/10. If we can keep them quiet for 15 minutes, I believe we have a chance. It won't be easy, but we've been here before. Come on England!!

    Jamie: I think if England play well, we should win. I think England to win by 5.

  6. Postpublished at 18:52 British Summer Time 21 October 2023

    'Could' doing more heavy lifting than George Martin at a line-out there.

  7. 'This England could be outstanding'published at 18:49 British Summer Time 21 October 2023

    England v South Africa (20:00 BST)

    Bobby Skinstad
    Former South Africa captain on BBC Radio 5 Live

    A general view of the inside of the stadium as players of England huddleImage source, Getty Images

    There are a number of areas where England can be smart enough and physical enough. They have had different route to the semi-finals – but not easier. If you go man to man with South Africa you see outstanding rugby players.

    Off-field machinations have got in the way of them being as organised as they have been in the past but a couple of performances and this team could be absolutely outstanding.

    This loose trio from England would be competing to start in South Africa’s team to a man. I don’t think in any instance South Africa underestimate this England team in any way whatsoever.

  8. 'South Africa should have it by 10-15 points'published at 18:47 British Summer Time 21 October 2023

    England v South Africa (20:00 BST)

    Lewis Moody
    Former England international on BBC Radio 5 Live

    Pieter-Steph Du Toit and Handre Pollard of South Africa celebrateImage source, Getty Images

    If you saw where England were 10 weeks ago when we were awful quite frankly, the Fijian loss (in a World Cup warm-up) gave us perspective.

    Upfront is going to be key but England have to score tries. South Africa showed against France how clinical they can be so if England are going to win then the defence has to be strong, but they have to score tries and for me that’s the bit we haven’t seen from England yet.

    South Africa probably should have it by 10-15 points but England have the capability, they have the players, and they have a coach who is prepared to apply the tactics to win the game.

  9. Postpublished at 18:47 British Summer Time 21 October 2023

    The bookmakers have South Africa as heavy favourites tonight - and opinion among the pundits is split. But still largely on the green side of things...

  10. Due a winpublished at 18:43 British Summer Time 21 October 2023

    England v South Africa (20:00 BST)

    Will Greenwood of England avoids the tackle of Victor MatfieldImage source, Getty Images

    In their five meetings with South Africa in the World Cup, England have won only once - a pool game on the way to overall victory in 2003.

    South Africa have famously won two finals against England before, including four years ago when they came out on top 32-12 in Japan.

    A week after demolishing New Zealand in sensational fashion, England were overpowered and contributed to their own downfall by making a series of errors that day. Have they learned a lesson?

  11. In with the big boyspublished at 18:39 British Summer Time 21 October 2023

    England v South Africa (20:00 BST)

    Mike Henson
    BBC Sport in Paris

    Ben Earl of England celebrates a victoryImage source, Getty Images

    England are the only team through to the Rugby World Cup semi-finals with a 100% record, progressing with five wins from five games.

    They are unbeaten, but not undoubted.

    Victories over Argentina, Japan, Chile, Samoa and Fiji have kept England's campaign purring steadily forward. Not all the wins have been convincing, but on each occasion they have ended up on the right side of the scoreline.

    The caveat is that they have also been on the right side of the draw.

    Now, the velvet rope drops and they bash shoulders with the tournament's big rollers.

  12. get involved

    Get Involvedpublished at 18:38 British Summer Time 21 October 2023

    #bbcrugby, WhatsApp 03301231826, text 81111 (UK only – texts will be charged at your standard message rate)

    It doesn't get much bigger than this. Well, until next weekend, anyway...

    How highly do you rate this South Africa team? Where can England hurt them? Can anyone stop the All Blacks?

    Fire away...

  13. As tough a Test as it getspublished at 18:35 British Summer Time 21 October 2023

    England v South Africa (20:00 BST)

    South AfricaImage source, Getty Images

    Standing in England's way are - once again - the champions. South Africa outmuscled and out thought England in the final four years ago, and just last week beat the hosts France in what was probably the best rugby union match I've ever seen.

    The first 40 minutes were sensational. Steve Borthwick's side have a task on their hands that even Hercules would be looking to subcontract out.

  14. TEAM NEWSpublished at 18:32 British Summer Time 21 October 2023

    England v South Africa (20:00 BST)

    Owen Farrell and Siya Kolisi collated imageImage source, BBC Sport

    England: Steward; May, Marchant, Tuilagi, Daly; Farrell (capt), Mitchell; Marler, George, Cole, Itoje, Martin, Lawes, Curry, Earl.

    Replacements: Dan, Genge, Sinckler, Chessum, Vunipola, Care, Ford, Lawrence.

    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.

    Referee: Ben O’Keeffe (New Zealand)

  15. 80 minutes away...published at 18:30 British Summer Time 21 October 2023

    England v South Africa (20:00 BST)

    A blitz of energy, an early try and some nerveless kicking. Just like that, the champions were dethroned in Yokohama.

    For much, if not all of the 1,456 days since England shocked the All Blacks in the semi-final four years ago a repeat trip to the final felt unlikely at best.

    England v New ZealandImage source, Getty Images

    In the last 12 months alone Eddie Jones' star waned and eventually burned out, George Ford and Owen Farrell swapped midfield shirts more times than prime Frank Lampard and Steven Gerrard and France ran in seven tries in a record-breaking, humiliating romp at HQ.

    England beat FijiImage source, Getty Images

    Expectations were low heading into France this autumn. And yet, somehow, here they are.

    England are one win away from a fifth World Cup final.

    They couldn't - could they?