The Springboks did everything they could to lose the match, however, the last ten minutes were full of action and drama with the Springboks securing their place in the semi-final against England on Saturday at 21:00 with a one-point 29-28 win against hosts France.
France made a fast and powerful start to the final quarter-final at the 2023 Rugby World Cup with prop Cyril Baille scoring France's first try of the match. France led 07-00 after 4 minutes of play.
Four minutes later France could not control a "wasted" high kick from the Springboks. Kurt-Lee Arendse controlled the bouncing ball and sped off to score the Springboks' first points of the match, to level the scores at 07-07.
Damian de Allende scored the Springboks' second try. The second ball from a high kick that France could not control was controlled by Damian de Allende who only was tackled 4m from France's tryline. The ball was quickly spread to De Allende to score.
However, France struck back from the kickoff with Peato Mauvaka thundering over in the corner to level the score at 12-12 after 23 minutes of play.
Once again the Springboks attacked from a mistake by France controlled. A chip through by Jesse Kriel was controlled by Cheslin Kolbe who strolled over in the corner to extend the Springboks lead to 19-12 after 28 minutes of play.
Cyril Baille bulldozed his way over the Springboks tryline. France kept on concentrating their attack out wide with their big forwards running at the Springboks' defence. The score was once again levelled at 19-19 after 30 minutes of play.
A yellow card to Eben Etzebeth for contact to the head of a French player led to Thomas Ramos converting a penalty to put France in the lead 22-19, which was also the halftime score.
France dominated the opening 10 minutes of the second half, however, they could not add any points and still led 22-19 with 30 minutes to go. France is beating the Springboks with their own type of rugby and increased their lead with a Thomas Ramos penalty to lead 25-19.
Following an extended period of dominance by France, the Springboks hit back with their fourth try when Eben Etzebeth bulldozed his way over France's tryline to put the Springboks back into the lead with 26-25 and 12 minutes left to play.
Two minutes later Handre Pollard converted a 55m penalty to extend the Springboks' lead to 29-25. With 8 minutes still to play in the second half Faf de Klerk conceded a penalty, which Thomas Ramos converted.
The Springboks held on to their 29-28 lead to win and secured their place in the semi-final against England on Saturday at 21:00
Scorers:
France: Tries: Cyril Baille (2), Peato Mauvaka. Conversion: Thomas Ramos (2). Penalty: Thomas Ramos (3)
Springboks: Tries: Kurt-Lee Arendse, Damian de Allende, Cheslin Kolbe, Eben Etebeth. Conversion: Manie Libbok (2), Handre Pollard. Penalty: Handre Pollard
Teams:
France: 1 Cyril Baille, 2 Peato Mauvaka, 3 Uini Atonio, 4 Cameron Woki, 5 Thibaud Flament, 6 Anthony Jelonch, 7 Charles Ollivon, 8 Gregory Alldritt, 9 Antoine Dupont (c), 10 Gregory Alldritt, 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: 1 Steven Kitshoff, 2 Mbongeni Mbonambi, 3 Frans Malherbe, 4 Eben Etzebeth, 5 Franco Mostert, 6 Siya Kolisi (c), 7 Pieter-Steph du Toit, 8 Duane Vermeulen, 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.