France used their size to dominate the Blitzboks to advance to the Cup semi-final with a comprehensive 22-17 win. The Blitzboks will play in the 5th-place semi-final at 03:04 against the loser between New Zealand and Ireland.
France used their bulk to bulldoze over the tryline of the Blitzboks to take an early lead of 07-00 and almost immediately scored a second try due to questionable defence by the Blitzboks. France led 12-00 after just three minutes of play.
Christie Grobbelaar scored the Blitzboks' first try of the match with seconds left of the first half of the match after some great work by Ryan Oosthuizen.
The Blitzboks started like a house on fire when Dalvon Blood scored the equalising try, showing great determination to cross the tryline.
France scored their third try as France stepped up the pace of their attack with the direct running of the French proving too much for the Blitzboks' defence.
France scored a fourth try against a struggling Blitzbok defence, whereafter Shaun Williams scored a consolation try for the Blitboks with time already up on the clock.
Scorers:
Blitzboks: Tries: Christie Grobbelaar, Dalvon Blood, Shaun Williams. Conversion: Shaun Williams.
France: Tries: Jonathan Laugel (2), Nelson Epée, Varian Pasquet. Conversion: Paulin Riva
Teams:
Blitzboks: Ryan Oosthuizen, Impi Visser, Christie Grobbelaar, Shaun Williams, Shilton van Wyk, Dalvon Blood, Ricardo Duarttee. Replacements: Siviwe Soyizwapi, Zain Davids, Masande Mtshali, Jaiden Baron.
France: Jonathan Laugel, Rayan Rebbadj, Varian Pasquet, Stephen Parez Edo Martin, Paulin Riva, Nelson Epée, Aaron Grandidier. Replacements: Antoine Zeghdar, William Iraguha, Laborde Dorian, Theo Forner, Thomas Carol.
