South Africa beat France 29-28 to book semi final clash against England

South Africa beat France 29-28 to book semi final clash against England

By Navitalai Naivalurua
Monday 16/10/2023
[Photo: World Rugby]

South Africa kept the defence of their World Cup title alive with a thrilling 29-28 victory over France in one of the greatest matches in Rugby World Cup history.

Eben Etzebeth's powerful surge saw the Springboks to come from behind to end France's 18-game winning run on home soil and book a semi-final clash with England in a repeat of the 2019 final.

Both sides scored three tries in a pulsating first-half at Stade de France before a Thomas Ramos penalty handed the hosts a narrow lead at the interval.

Ramos added another three points as France led by their returning talisman Antoine Dupont, looked to wrestle momentum from the defending champions.

Etzebeth's try overturned the deficit before Handre Pollard's huge penalty from inside his own half proved to be decisive.

Another Ramos penalty brought France to within a single point, to set-up a thrilling finale at the same venue that witnessed another last-eight thriller between New Zealand and Ireland just 24-hours earlier.

France looked to keep the ball alive late on, but as it spilled forward and Kurt Lee-Arendse pumped it into the stands.

Looking at the semi finals, Argentina will meet the All Blacks at 7am Saturday and England will play the Springboks at 7am Sunday.

Both games will be played at Stade de France, Saint-Denis.

FNRL
FEATURE NEWS
Naivalurua resigns from FASANOC board after failed Pacific Games bid, FASANOC board to meet tomorrow on the major failure
As the FASANOC board gets ready to meet tomorrow to discuss the matters regarding Fiji’s failed bid to host the 2031 Pacific Games, one of the FASAN...
4 hours ago
LATEST NEWS
Mangal urges family, church, and community to combat Fiji’s drug crisis
Family values; the family, friends, mentors and the church play an important role to reverse the drug crisis our nation is facing today and most ...
3 hours ago

8 people rushed to the Korovou Hospital after horrific accident near Lokuya Hill
Eight people have been taken to the Korovou Hospital after their involvement in an accident around midday today. Police say a container trailer ...
4 hours ago

USP Council is due to meet this month - Radrodro
Minister for Education Aseri Radrodro has confirmed that the USP Council will be meeting this month to discuss the issues regarding USP. He says ...
4 hours ago

Fijian economy forecast to grow by 3.8%, an upward revision from the 2.8% earlier projected - Ali
The Fijian economy is now forecast to grow by 3.8 percent in 2024, an upward revision from the 2.8 percent projected in June this year. Chair of ...
5 hours ago

Prof. Prasad urges world leaders to increase climate financing for SIDS
Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Finance Professor Biman Prasad is urging world leaders to agree on the New Collective Quantified Goal on ...
5 hours ago



fijivillage Straight Talk with Vijay Narayan
Latest Videos

Stay tuned for the latest news on our radio stations

CFL radio frequencies
yb
IN DEPTH
Doctor Alipate Vakamocea on fijivillage Straight Talk with Vijay Narayan
Fiji Medical Association President, Doctor Alipate Vakamocea will appear on fijivillage Straight Talk with Vijay Narayan The show will focus on ...
11 hours ago

Mangal and Akauola on fijivillage Straight Talk With Vijay Narayan
Adult Teen Challenge Fiji Executive Director, Hemraj Mangal and Director, Matai Akauola appear on fijivillage Straight Talk With Vijay Narayan The ...
11 hours ago

Sporting federations demand answers from FASANOC
National sporting federations who are part of Fiji Association of Sport and National Olympic Committee or FASANOC, are still calling for answers and ...
7 days ago

TOP