Two of the most impressive sides in the tournament meet in the fourth and final Rugby World Cup quarter-final on Sunday (20:00), when hosts France take on reigning world champions South Africa at the Stade de France.
It’s a shame that one of these teams will crash out at the last-eight stage, but there must be a winner in Paris and it promises to be an epic clash.
- France to qualify
- Race to 20 Points - France
- Total Points: 32 to 52
Home Advantage Crucial
France will see a home World Cup as the perfect chance to lift the trophy for the first time and their form over the last year suggests this could be their year.
Les Bleus go into Sunday’s quarter-final showdown unbeaten in seven matches. And having won Pool A with a perfect record, they now have their sights on taking the scalp of the defending champions.
You have to go back to March 2021 for the last time France lost on home soil and with a packed Stade de France behind them, they will be confident of extending that record.
That confidence will be further boosted by the return to fitness of star man Antoine Dupont, who has been back in full training this week.
The French captain will start at scrum-half despite suffering a fractured cheekbone in the pool game against Namibia. He is the only change to the hosts' starting XV.
Damian Penaud will start on the right wing and could also play a significant role. The 27-year-old is the tournament’s tryscorer with six tries plundered in the pool stage.
Penaud leads the scoring charts
Springboks Have Questions Unanswered
Thumping warm-up wins over New Zealand and Wales had many predicting that South Africa could defend their world title in France.
A comfortable 18-3 win over Scotland in their pool opener was quickly followed by a thumping 76-0 victory over Romania. But a defeat at the hands of Ireland had people wondering whether they are capable of lifting the William Webb Ellis Trophy again.
Kicking has proved a particular issue for the Boks and that may prove the difference in what should be an epic battle between two evenly matched teams.
Jacques Nienaber’s men are fourth in the tournament points standings, with 151 in their four group matches compared to France’s tally of 210.
Boks boosted by Pollard bench role
France Offer Try Threat
Le Bleus ran in 27 tries during the pool stage and boast the tournament’s top points scorer in Thomas Ramos, who has 61 to his name.
Although France have a losing record against South Africa overall, they did win their last meeting with the Springboks – defeating the world champions 30-26 last year.
Les Bleus have averaged 39 points per game during their 13 internationals in 2023 and their threat with ball in hand looks to give them the slight edge in this clash.
France vs Springbok Teams
France: 15 Thomas Ramos, 14 Damian Penaud, 13 Gael Fickou, 12 Jonathan Danty, 11 Louis Bielle-Biarrey, 10 Matthieu Jalibert, 9 Antoine Dupont (c), 8 Gregory Alldritt, 7 Charles Ollivon, 6 Anthony Jelonch, 5 Thibaud Flmanet, 4 Cameron Woki, 3 Uini Atonio, 2 Peato Mauvaka, 1 Cyril Baille
Bench: 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: 15 Damian Willemse, 14 Kurt-Lee Arendse, 13 Jesse Kriel, 12 Damian de Allende, 11 Cheslin Kolbe, 10 Manie Libbok, 9 Cobus Reinach, 8 Duane Vermeulen, 7 Pieter-Steph du Toit, 6 Siya Kolisi (c), 5 Franco Mostert, 4 Eben Etzebeth, 3 Frans Malherbe, 2 Bongi Mbonambi, 1 Steven Kitshoff
Bench: 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
