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STADE DE FRANCE – Pop. France is out of their home World Cup. South Africa, the defending world champions, is through to the final four after an extraordinary and pulsating evening where there could only be one winner.
After France led 22-19 at half-time, a try to towering lock Eben Etzebeth and long-range penalty from Handre Pollard proved to be the difference as the Springboks prevailed 29-28 in Paris.
In an agonising final five minutes, the 79,486 spectators could barely watch as the home side attempted to pull off a miracle by running the ball out of their own half. They almost did.
Twice France broke free but after 10 phases, Faf de Klerk managed to rip the ball free and Kurt-Lee Arendse did the rest as he ran back and booted the ball into the stands.
At once the French dropped to their knees. A nation’s hearts shattered into a million pieces.
South Africa – the three-time world champions – raised their arms in triumph.
“That was an incredible Test,” Etzebeth said.
“A one-point game, could have gone either way. We are so relieved, the French must feel heartbroken. It was a massive team effort. We’ll enjoy it tonight, then focus on England and a huge game.”
Kurt-Lee Arendse was one of the heroes from the Springboks in their 29-28 win over Les Bleus at Stade de France on October 15, 2023 in Paris. (Photo by Warren Little/Getty Images)
One night after the All Blacks’ gripping win over Ireland in the game of the tournament, it was hard to believe another quarter-final could match it. It did.
It almost seemed cruel that Ireland was farewelled 24 hours earlier. Now, they’ve been joined by Les Bleus.
Another victory for the southern hemisphere. The northern hemisphere will feel sick to the stomach after Sir Clive Woodward and Warren Gatland declared that the first weekend of knockout rugby could be a southern shut out. Oops.
Only once in nine editions has a northern hemisphere power won (England, 2003 – sorry Eddie) and with Argentina, England, New Zealand and South Africa progressing through to the semi-finals, the balance of power remains firmly with the south. Nine times out of 10 seems likely given England’s close shave over Fiji.
The results mean New Zealand will take on Michael Cheika’s Argentina on Friday, while England will meet South Africa next Saturday in Paris.
“Massive. I think it’s going to be a nice challenge,” Springboks coach Jacques Nienaber said of the prospect of facing England.
“In knockouts anything can happen, like tonight I followed the England game when we were on the bus here. Also they (England) had a healthy lead and then Fiji came back and then they also pushed it right to the end. I think knockouts are going to be small margins right to the end.”
Pieter-Steph Du Toit and Kwagga Smith of South Africa celebrate victory over Les Bleus at Stade de France on October 15, 2023 in Paris. (Photo by Warren Little/Getty Images)
France will undoubtedly feel aggrieved at the officiating of Ben O’Keeffe.
The New Zealander let both sides get away with murder at the breakdown, but it was the Springboks that enjoyed the rub of the green despite Etzebeth being shown a yellow card on the stroke of half-time.
Pollard’s long-range penalty in the 67th minute came despite Kwagga Smith clearly having hands on the ground before getting on the ball.
Etzebeth also got away with what appeared to be a deliberate knockdown in the opening 10 minutes as France threatened to go bang, bang.
“There are so many key moments. When you’re leading 7-0 and Etzebeth cut off the ball. That was a strong moment for us and we weren’t able to finish off. Soon afterwards it was 7-7. Those are key moments…which add up. So many things went on,” Fabien Galthie said.
Antoine Dupont added: “Well, what did you think of it with an external view? It’s hard to talk about things because there’s a lot of frustration. This doesn’t take anything away from South Africa’s performance, they played a great game.”
Les Bleus will feel they let the match slip through their fingers.
The home side regularly threatened in second half but only managed to register two penalties.
In contrast, the Springboks pounced on France’s mistakes, exposing their backs under the high ball, and scored with razor precision.
While France raced out to a flying start thanks to some brilliance from captain Dupont that saw prop Cyril Baille score, the Springboks responded just as quickly as Arendse pounced on a loose ball from a spilt Cobus Reinach box kick. It came moments after Etzebeth’s fumble prevented a try.
Ten minutes later and the Springboks had their second as Cameron Woki failed to deal with Manie Libbok’s up-and-under and Damian de Allende scored moments later.
Peato Mauvaka hit back to help ease the nerves for France, but the home side left a crucial two points out on the field as Tomas Ramos’ kick was charged down by Cheslin Kolbe.
But yet again the Springboks immediately responded, as Kolbe ran onto Jesse Kriel’s brilliant grubber.
Cyril Baille scored two first half tries for France, but it wasn’t enough as the Springboks prevailed at the Stade de France on October 15, 2023 in Paris. (Photo by Mike Hewitt/Getty Images)
Baille’s second try of the first half saw Les Bleus strike back and allow Ramos to level up the match, before the fullback knocked over three points on the stroke of half-time as Etzebeth was shown a yellow card for a head-on-head collision on France’s Uini Atonio.
After the helter-skelter nature of the first-half, the second became a grind where the space closed and errors crept in. For France it proved terminal.
Etzebeth followed in the footsteps of Sam Whitelock one night earlier to remind the world why he rates alongside the New Zealander as the other premier lock of the past decade. Whoever stands on October 28 could well decide who is the best lock of the 21st century.
The 31-year-old powered his way through France’s rolling maul and then stormed over the line in the defining score of the second half.
France fought until the death, but South Africa’s ability to slow the ball down and win the championship minutes proved decisive. By doing so, they broke a nation’s hearts.
Springboks skipper Siya Kolisi paid tribute to his side’s bench, where their “bomb squad” helped give them the edge in the second half.
“I just thought we really wanted it,” Kolisi said.
“We knew how tough it was going to be. I must give credit to the guys that came off the bench, they made a huge difference. And the guys that didn’t play, the pictures they showed us, so we were ready for this game.
“And most importantly, the people back at home. Honestly, the support that we’ve received. You know, they can’t afford to be here but the videos, the schools singing for us and the videos. That’s who we play for. You know our families that are here right now.
“We play for the nation, it’s not about us on this field any more, it’s about the people back home and that’s what’s driving us. Win or lose they will see this kind of fight that you saw out there today.”
Join The Roar rugby editor Christy Doran, former Wallaby Matt Toomua and a cast of regular and special guests as they look at the biggest issues in the game on The Roar Rugby Podcast. If you’re looking for great odds on the next game check out Aussie bookmaker PlayUp. Chances are you’re about to lose. Set a deposit limit.