France 28 South Africa 29: Springboks stun hosts to set up England semi-final in repeat of 2019 Rugby World Cup final
SOUTH AFRICA toppled hosts France on a frenetic evening at Stade de France.
The holders will take on England in next week’s semi-finals in a rematch of the 2019 final.
England will go into the match as big underdogs, with many South African fans now surely believing that they will likely have an October 28 date with destiny against New Zealand as they look to emulate 2019.
France had actually gotten off to a perfect start against the Springboks, moving into a 7-0 lead courtesy of Cyril Baille’s converted try on just three minutes.
Their opponents quickly hit back, with Kurt-Lee Arendse scoring and South Africa levelling at 7-7 just moments later.
The Springboks then completed their early turnaround by the 19th minute through Damian de Allende’s try, although Manie Libbok was unable to convert.
Their lead lasted just four minutes, however, with Peato Mauvaka scoring for France to tie the game again.
Incredibly the French did not regain the lead at this point, with Cheslin Kolbe sensationally blocking Thomas Ramos’ attempted conversion – leaving fans stunned.
Kolbe’s first half got even better just three minutes later, when he scored yet another try in this absorbing match.
France evened it up again on 31 minutes via Baille’s second converted try.
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They subsequently went in at half time with a narrow 22-19 lead, courtesy of Ramos’ penalty.
The second half was a decidedly more cagey affair, although France did manage to extend their advantage to 25-19 thanks to Ramos’ penalty.
Things then turned on 67 minutes, when Eben Etzebeth scored a converted try to see South Africa edge back in front at 26-25.
A Handre Pollard penalty then made it 29-25, with the majority of the Stade de France crowd left devastated.
They hoped for one more twist in the tale, with a Ramos penalty on 72 minutes reducing their arrears to just one point.
But it was heartbreak for France, who fell just short at the death – with fans left to rue a huge missed opportunity.
