France 28-29 South Africa
RWC Quarter-Final
Date:
Venue: Stade de France, Paris
Referee: Ben O'Keeffe (New Zealand)
Attendance: 79,486
France v South Africa Match Reports
Tournament hosts France bowed out of the World Cup in agonising fashion after losing by a point to defending champions South Africa as the Stade de France hosted another epic quarter-final that hung in the balance until the very last moment. On a frenzied night when France’s talismanic captain Antoine Dupont made his much-hyped return following a broken cheekbone – sporting a scrum-cap – Les Bleus were defeated 29-28 as the defiant Boks held on to set up a semi-final showdown with England at the same venue next Saturday. A selection of match reports is listed below:
- Autumn Internationals: South Africa win epic France clash to set up World Cup semi-final with England
- BBC: Defending champions overcome hosts in World Cup thriller
- Guardian: South Africa ruin France World Cup dream and set up England semi-final
- Daily Mail: Hosts are eliminated from the Rugby World Cup as Antoine Dupont fails to rally Les Blues to victory against dominant Springboks in high-octane match
- Sky Sports: Hosts dumped out of Rugby World Cup by holders in thriller
- SA Rugby: Boks victorious in Paris thriller
France v South Africa - Match Highlights
France v South Africa - Match Stats
France (22) 28
Try: Baille (4', 31'), Mauvaka (22')
Conversion: Ramos (5', 32')
Penalty: Ramos (41', 54', 73')
South Africa (19) 29
Try: Arendse (8'), De Allende (18'), Kolbe (26'), Etzebeth (67')
Conversion: Libbok (10', 28'), Pollard (67')
Penalty: Pollard (69')
Man of the match: Mbongeni Mbonambi (South Africa)
France v South Africa - Team Line-ups
France Team
Forwards
- 1 Cyril Baille
- 2 Peato Mauvaka
- 3 Uini Atonio
- 4 Cameron Woki
- 5 Thibaud Flament
- 6 Anthony Jelonch
- 7 Charles Ollivon
- 8 Gregory Alldritt
Backs
- 9 Antoine Dupont (Captain)
- 10 Matthieu Jalibert
- 11 Louis Bielle-Biarrey
- 12 Jonathan Danty
- 13 Gael Fickou
- 14 Damian Penaud
- 15 Thomas Ramos
Replacements
- 16 Pierre Bourgarit
- 17 Reda Wardi
- 18 Dorian Aldegheri
- 19 Romain Taofifenua
- 20 Francois Cros
- 21 Sekou Macalou
- 22 Maxime Lucu
- 23 Yoram Moefana
South Africa Team
Forwards
- 1 Steven Kitshoff
- 2 Bongi Mbonambi
- 3 Frans Malherbe
- 4 Eben Etzebeth
- 5 Franco Mostert
- 6 Siya Kolisi (Captain)
- 7 Pieter-Steph du Toit
- 8 Duane Vermeulen
Backs
- 9 Cobus Reinach
- 10 Manie Libbok
- 11 Cheslin Kolbe
- 12 Damian de Allende
- 13 Jesse Kriel
- 14 Kurt-Lee Arendse
- 15 Damian Willemse
Replacements
- 16 Deon Fourie
- 17 Ox Nche
- 18 Vincent Koch
- 19 RG Snyman
- 20 Kwagga Smith
- 21 Faf de Klerk
- 22 Handre Pollard
- 23 Willie le Roux