France v South Africa result, Rugby World Cup 2023 quarter-final - Springboks knock France out of own World Cup
Antoine Dupont sank to one knee and covered his face with his hand as the disappointment of France’s Rugby World Cup quarterfinal loss to South Africa sank in.
This was supposed to be his night, the script written perfectly for the captain to lead his side into the semifinals on home soil.
Instead, Les Tricolores lost by one point — 29-28 — and the world’s best scrumhalf was unable to summon enough magic to make the difference. In fact, his performance became rather sloppy after a bright start.
Dupont won his race to recover from surgery for a broken cheekbone sustained in a game against Namibia 3 1/2 weeks ago, and wore a scrum cap on his surgeon’s advice.
He lasted the whole match with seemingly no ill effects. He even endured some rough stuff midway through the first half, when he was bundled to the ground by South Africa captain Siya Kolisi.
When he was injured by an illegal head-on-head tackle by Namibia captain Johan Deysel on Sept. 21, Dupont thought his Rugby World Cup was over.
Rugby World Cup 2023 semifinal schedule
Now it is.
After being hugged by coach Fabien Galthié, he trudged off the field with his hands locked behind his head.
The dream comeback started so well.
Dupont took one minute to open up South Africa with a clever kick into space for flyhalf Matthieu Jalibert to run onto, and left winger Louis Bielle-Biarrey went close to scoring a try in the left corner.
Two minutes later, Dupont picked the ball up off the back of a monster maul and fed right winger Damian Penaud, who passed inside to give prop Cyril Baille an easy try. Minutes later, Penaud dropped a pass from Dupont near the left corner.
At that point, France looked on top.
Then errors crept in, including from Dupont.
He failed to cover center Damian de Allende’s run leading to South Africa’s second try.
Then, after emerging from under a pile of bodies near the tryline, Dupont bounced back with a quick tap penalty to feed rampant hooker Peato Mauvaka to dive over in the right corner for France’s second try.
They were 22 minutes played at a frantic pace, and Dupont was keeping up. He even looked fresh and full of running having at least rested his legs while rehabbing. Yet he also looked rusty and failed to spot lock Eben Etzebeth bearing down on him when he tried a pass near halfway. Etzebeth got too close, and Dupont scuffed the pass, which ultimately led to the move which produced South Africa’s third try.
After the fourth try, scored by Etzebeth, made it 26-25, Dupont dallied on the ball and got knocked back as South Africa won a penalty and went further ahead.
On the last attack, he twisted around trying to find gaps that never opened up for him.
This was not Dupont’s night and Galthié may wonder why he did not replace him earlier with Maxime Lucu, an able backup.
Last time they played, France rounded off a perfect 2022 by edging South Africa 30-26. Dupont was red-carded early in the second half for clumsily taking out airborne winger Cheslin Kolbe, who landed on his neck in one of several bone-jarring moments.
This time, Kolbe was one of South Africa’s try-scorers on a night Dupont will want to forget.
When Kolbe comes back to Stade de France next Saturday to face 2003 champion England, perhaps Dupont will be mulling over why he couldn’t do enough to be there instead.
As it happened:
Cameron McMillan
That'll do from NZ Heralds' live updates of this South Africa v France quarter-final. It's been an absolute pleasure having you all on board and we'll see you next Saturday for New Zealand V Argentina live from 6am. I've been your host Will Toogood and I look forward to typing for you all soon! Haere rā! Take care!
Cameron McMillan
Cameron McMillan
The South Africa v England semi is a really interesting prospect. The Boks showed while they like to stick to their game plan, they have devastating ball runners. England have been really solid, but survived a scare against Samoa and Fiji did well against them.
Cameron McMillan
France will be devastated. A home World Cup was the fairytale waiting to be written.
Cameron McMillan
South Africa also appear to have made it through with no injuries, that's huge as the bomb squad showed they can change games.
Cameron McMillan
People theorising on social media that France's biggest mistake was letting Eben Etzebeth have a ten minute breather...
Cameron McMillan
Agreed - was immense when he came on.
Cameron McMillan
Seriously, though, it's so rare to see a conversion charged down and with the Boks winning by one point it genuinely was the deciding play of the game.
This was the moment of the match for me
Cameron McMillan
Cameron McMillan
By my calculations, South Africa will go to number one in the rankings and New Zealand will move to second.
Cameron McMillan
Cameron McMillan
Sir Clive Woodward will be wishing he could hit the republish button on his predicitons.. 1/4 by my count.
Cameron McMillan
“We play for the people that can’t afford to be here” - Siya Kolisi is all class.
Cameron McMillan
Cameron McMillan
Contrasting emotions between French and Boks supporters - tears in both sets of eyes but for very different reasons.
Cameron McMillan
I'm so glad I was wrong about how this one was going to play out - what a thrilling contest. Both sides gave the ball plenty of air and didn't shy away from the huge stakes.
Cameron McMillan
Also.. how does this affect world rankings? Could be a little reshuffle at the top after these quarter-final results.
Cameron McMillan
Plenty to talk about for this quarter - Etzebeth's knock on and his yellow not being upgraded in particular.
Cameron McMillan
Argentina too know how to beat the All Blacks - New Zealand will have to lift even higher.
Cameron McMillan
Cameron McMillan
But, England and Argentina will have something to say about that. England in particular will fancy themselves against the Boks.
Cameron McMillan
Personally, I'd love a New Zealand v South Africa final. Both nations going for their fourth World Cup.
Cameron McMillan
Semi finals now set:
New Zealand v Argentina, Saturday 8am
South Africa v England, Sunday 8am
Cameron McMillan
French had their chances but it was the Boks who took theirs.
Cameron McMillan
Dupont yanks his headgear off and looks ashen-faced.
Cameron McMillan
South Africa now will go up against England - who are the only undefeated team at this World Cup.
Cameron McMillan
The French are distraught - heads in hands and bodies strewn across the paddock.
Cameron McMillan
That was as good a quarter-final as you'll see! Frantic from start to finish
Full time!
Cameron McMillan
But they knock it on! It's booted into touch and South Africa have won!
Cameron McMillan
French are going a bit side to side, but still making slow progess.
Cameron McMillan
Into SA's half now! Time is up so it's all on!
Cameron McMillan
French now have to work it back again - they have it inside their half centre field.
Cameron McMillan
I stand corrected - de Klerk box kicks down into French territory.
Cameron McMillan
And they will no doubt grind it out with the big boys.
Cameron McMillan
But a crucial turnover! That was huge for SA - France looked to press on attack but the Boks have it now.
Cameron McMillan
France get it away and make a break down the right!
Cameron McMillan
Third time lucky? Here we go.
Cameron McMillan
And the second is as well! Same thing, Boks keen to get a massive shove on.
Cameron McMillan
First scrum is reset - Boks too eager on the shove.
Cameron McMillan
Kolisi barking instructions from the sideline - still puzzled as to why he was pulled so early.
Cameron McMillan
France now, with three minutes to go will have to work it all the way down to SA's goal line.
Cameron McMillan
Content to keep it tight but it's knocked on!
Cameron McMillan
They come to the left - and make good ground up to the five.
Cameron McMillan
Scrum now for SA - bang in front of the posts on the 22m.
Cameron McMillan
And it's out on the full! That's a huge blunder from Ramos!
Cameron McMillan
Drop goal attempt! That was cheeky from Kolbe! But it's wide left and will be a 22m drop out.
Cameron McMillan
Boks rumble a maul all the way up to the 22 before moving to the right.
Cameron McMillan
Lineout on French 10m line, left hand side.
Cameron McMillan
Kicked deep, taken by France and Dupont wacks a box kick into touch.
Penalty! France (Thomas Ramos)
Cameron McMillan
Ramos does the business and it's a one point game! 28-29 to SA.
Cameron McMillan
Looks like they are going to have a shot - the right call in my opinion.
Cameron McMillan
Do France take three here? There's still nine minutes to go...
Cameron McMillan
Arm out for a penatly, they're up to the 22m - attempt a box kick that goes out and back we go.
Cameron McMillan
France have to start again and move the ball up to the 10m line.
Cameron McMillan
Kicked off deep and secured by the Boks - de Klerk hammers a box kick down to halfway.
Penalty! South Africa (Handre Pollard)
Cameron McMillan
Pollard makes no mistake! 29-25 to SA.
Cameron McMillan
Out comes the kicking tee, massive nudge here.
Cameron McMillan
France manage to reclaim the kick off, but they are pinged at the ruck and SA have a penalty right on half way!
Cameron McMillan
We are in for a ripper of a finish here folks, don't go anywhere.
Cameron McMillan
Conversion added - 25-26 now.
Try! South Africa (Eben Etzebeth)
Cameron McMillan
And they score! Right hand side of the posts and it's Etzebeth! He had half the French pack hanging off him but he was too big, too fast and too good!
Cameron McMillan
And they go close! Advantage for offside against France!
Cameron McMillan
No scrum.. they will tap and go!
Cameron McMillan
Decision time, what's the option?
Cameron McMillan
And the Boks get a penalty at the ruck! Huge moment.
Cameron McMillan
They come to the left and make good ground, then hack one ahead and Dupont scrambles to secure it.
Cameron McMillan
SA opt for a scrum again.
Cameron McMillan
Free kick! O'Keefe pings the French front row.
Cameron McMillan
Pollard on for SA.
Cameron McMillan
Scrum now on Boks' 22 right hand side.
Cameron McMillan
Water break and more subs for SA.
Cameron McMillan
And knocked on once more! These errors are killing France's momentum.
Cameron McMillan
It's nearly intercepted by SA but France still have it, just outside the 22 they come back to the right again.
Cameron McMillan
They spin back to the left and find space! Up to the 22 now and they're hot on attack again.
Cameron McMillan
Jailbert kicks high and it's knocked on by the Boks!
Cameron McMillan
Dupont feeds and France wheel off the back to the right.
Cameron McMillan
Bit of a wait before we pack down but here we go.
Cameron McMillan
France now will have a scrum just inside their own half.
Cameron McMillan
Knocked on! Great defence from France and Le Roux spills it!
Cameron McMillan
Still Boks ball and they work up to the French 22 - swinging right.
Cameron McMillan
But not out! Kolbe this time well taken and France nearly turn it over.
Cameron McMillan
But they lose the ball! France can now clear and they do so after a couple of phases.
Cameron McMillan
Not that it wasn't before, but SA now have a chance to retake the lead.
Cameron McMillan
Now, it's all on.
Cameron McMillan
And Boks win a scrum penalty! Huge win there for SA, the subs have done the business!
Cameron McMillan
Scrum now, French ball inside their 22, right hand side.
Cameron McMillan
But it's knocked forward again! Huge let off there.
Cameron McMillan
And run it back he does! Beats the first man and SA now right inside the French 22.
Cameron McMillan
French take it down and then clear, but not out and Kolbe will run it back.
Cameron McMillan
Ramos slices the kick! It's actually, somehow, gone backwards off his boot and they'll have a lineout 10m from their line.
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