Handrè Pollard’s penalty was the difference at the end of an epic match as champions South Africa edged past France 29-28
Quarter-final: France 28-29 South AfricaQuarter-final weekend, as it had always threatened to, saved its best for last. An extraordinary match of fluctuating fortunes ended with French players scattered across the turf, part in despair, part exhaustion. After Ireland’s agonising failure to consummate their supremacy at the top of the world rankings on Saturday, here the hosts were denied the chance to prevail at their own World Cup. Another in the eye for the global north.
France opened the scoring in the fourth minute, having already pulled the Springboks this way and that. From an attacking lineout established by the onslaught, a phalanx broke free, led by the mighty Uini Atonio. That was halted somehow, but Antoine Dupont went blind, where Damian Penaud sent Cyril Baille over in the corner.The French were on a mission. Moments later, Peato Mauvaka was streaking clear, the hooker stepping and sprinting like a back.
Next to send the ball skywards was Manie Libbok. This time, Cameron Woki was unable to gather. Off went Damian de Allende. When he was scythed down short, he was quick enough to his feet to accept Reinach’s feed from a ruck and scoot over for South Africa’s second.The rugby was breathless. France came again and equalised four minutes later. Jonathan Danty’s carry was fearsome. When South Africa infringed, Dupont went quickly to put Mauvaka over.
Ten minutes of the half remained; 10 points scored, by which France retook the lead for half-time. Duppont’s chip to the corner had Kolbe scrambling, and from the lineout Baille burrowed over for his second. Parity again. That was disrupted only with the last kick of the half, Ramos’s penalty, following a yellow card for Etzebeth after an accidental clash of heads, taking France into a 22-19 lead at the break.
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