Rugby World Cup quarter-finals
South Africa ends France’s title dreams
October 16, 2023, 1:25 a.m
The Rugby World Cup continues without hosts France: South Africa defeats the French in a thrilling encounter and makes it to the semi-finals clear. There it is against England, who had previously defeated Fiji.
South Africa ripped hosts France out of their dreams at the Rugby World Cup. The defending champion defeated the French team led by captain Antoine Dupont, who returned from a serious facial injury, in the quarterfinals in Saint-Denis with 29:28 (19:19). On October 21st there will be a repeat of the 2019 final between South Africa and England for a place in the final. The final will also take place in Saint-Denis on October 28th.
England, champions in 2003, had previously defeated outsiders Fiji 30:24 (21:10) in Marseille. The favorites started strongly and quickly gained a lead, but Fiji managed to equalize at 24:24 in the second half.
South Africa fought off the French in a thrilling encounter and secured their ticket to the next round late on. The French playmaker Dupont, who broke his upper jaw and cheekbone after a violent collision in the preliminary round game against Namibia three weeks ago, conducted the game with a special mask. After a furious start, the players on the field were unable to maintain the pace from the first half.
The All Blacks from New Zealand and Argentina face each other in the second semi-final. On Saturday evening, three-time world champion New Zealand beat world number one Ireland 28:24 (18:17) in a dramatic quarter-final at the Stade de France. Argentina surprisingly won against Wales 29:17 (6:10) in Marseille and made it into the semi-finals for the third time.