REPORT: Brilliant Boks sink France to book semi-final date against England

For much of the match, the host nation dominated territory and possession, cheered on by 80 000 passionate fans as the Boks barely held on at times in the face of a fierce French onslaught.

But the South Africans made the most of what little ball they had in the first half to score some brilliant counter-attacking tries and then started to turn the tables on their opponents in the second half when a string of substitutions saw a definite shift in momentum.

It was a very different story in the first half of this memorable World Cup clash in which the Boks were never really able to exact their usual forward dominance, even as their normally rock-solid defence was frequently found wanting in the face of France’s rapid-fire attacks, spearheaded by their hugely influential captain Antoine Dupont whose quick delivery caused plenty of problems.

Still, the Boks never gave up, kept in touch on the scoreboard and gradually gained the upper hand despite not always being as clinical on the night in terms of their execution and discipline – and despite a yellow card reducing them to 14 men – with only sheer guts, heart and determination getting them over the line.

So many players put their hand up on the night, from Jesse Kriel to wingers Cheslin Kolbe and Kurt-Lee Arendse and Test centurion Eben Etzebeth, but it was also an incredible team performance considering all the adversity the players faced in the match.

The Boks very nearly gave away a try within a minute of the kick-off after a clever little chip over the top got behind their defence and Dupont followed it up with another kick for the corner, with only a desperate intervention from Kurt-Lee Arendse saving the try.

But when France set up a line-out shortly after, the speed of their rolling maul caught the Bok defence napping as it barrelled all the way to the line where quick hands saw Cyril Baille go over in the corner. Thomas Ramos added the extras from out wide as the hosts took an early 7-0 lead.

Moments later, Les Blues were nearly in again for another try after a mistake from the Boks in the midfield, and only a last-gasp intervention from Eben Etzebeth prevented what looked like a certain try.

The Springboks needed a response and they got it when Duane Vermeulen turned it over at the breakdown and France failed to deal with an ensuing up-and-under from Cobus Reinach, allowing Arendse to pounce on the ball and beat the covering French defence for a brilliant try. Faced with a tough kick first up, Manie Libbok settled his nerves to level the scores as the Boks came up with the perfect response to France’s blistering start.

Steven Kitshoff gave away a silly penalty not long after to hand France an opportunity to retake the lead from the kicking tee, but Ramos didn’t have the distance.

Then came another fantastic moment for the Boks when France again failed to deal with a high ball, allowing some quick hands to free up Damian de Allende as he burst through for South Africa’s second try of the evening. Libbok was well wide with a makeable conversion, however.

Then it was France’s turn to go back on the attack as they moved it quickly and irresistibly through several phases before Peato Mauvaka went over in the corner to hit straight back on the scoreboard. Ramos’ attempted conversion was charged down by Cheslin Kolbe, however, to prevent the extra two points.

The breathtaking end-to-end action didn’t stop, and this time it was the Springboks’ turn again as another turnover allowed Jesse Kriel to send through a perfect kick for Kolbe, who only had to run onto the ball and use his pace to coast in for another try. Libbok’s third attempt was good as the Boks took a 19-12 lead.

True to form, back came France after another kick in behind the Bok defence forced Kolbe to carry the ball over the line to set up a line-out in the corner, and there was no stopping Baille from going over for the try following another fast-paced French assault. Ramos added the extras to level the scores at 19-apiece.

With the first half winding down, the Boks opted for a scrum after calling for a mark inside their 22, and the decision paid off as they won the penalty in the front row. Libbok couldn’t find touch with his kick, however, and that put France back on the attack, especially when Kitshoff gave away another penalty at the breakdown – his third of the night.

Then came a big moment as the TMO highlighted some foul play for the referee. It showed Etzebeth dropping in the tackle and making clearly accidental head contact with a France player. The referee saw a yellow-card-worthy offence, however, and the lock got his marching orders – the Boks’ first yellow of the tournament.

That gave France an opportunity to kick for goal and end the first half with a 22-19 lead, as the opening stanza ended in disappointing fashion for the visitors.

South Africa started the second half still a man down, and with barely five minutes gone, they brought on RG Snyman and Deon Fourie for Franco Mostert and Siya Kolisi, while Handre Pollard and Faf de Klerk came on as a brand-new halfback pairing for Libbok and Reinach.

It was scrappy stuff as the Boks held on in the face of more France attacks, but they just about held on to welcome back Etzebeth without giving away any further points.

Then came more changes from South Africa as Ox Nche, Kwagga Smith and Willie le Roux joined the action, Kitshoff, Vermeulen and Willemse making way, as the Boks did their level best to get out of their own half where much of the match was continuing to take place.

When France won a penalty at the scrum – much to the Boks’ disgust – Ramos had a chance to kick for goal and put the hosts six points clear.

When the Boks finally had a rare opportunity to inside the French 22, the referee awarded France a penalty for a steal as the attack came to nought. A great little break from Kolbe re-ignited them, but again a little knock-on saw possession turned over as they tried to make their field position count.

South Africa were starting to see more of the ball now, however, and when they won a very kickable scrum penalty, they decided to kick for the corner. Unfortunately, they couldn’t win the ensuing line-out, as France did just about enough to disrupt the Springbok ball and get the turnover.

When another break from Jesse Kriel saw the Boks break free and kick the ball right to the French line, Dupont could do nothing but fall on the ball and give away a penalty.

Again the Boks refused the points on offer and went for a quick tap. It was a risky decision but it paid off beautifully as a powerful carry from Etzebeth saw the big man crash over for the try. An easy conversion for Libbok saw the Boks take a 26-25 lead.

The Boks had their tails up and when another France attack was snuffed out by a brilliant Kwagga Smith steal, Pollard stepped up and nailed a lengthy conversion to put the visitors four points clear with just over 10 minutes to play.

France weren’t done yet, however, and when De Klerk gave away a penalty for straying offside at the breakdown, Ramos was handed an easy kick to bring the hosts back to within one.

Moments later, the Boks were back in French territory where Kolbe tried his luck with a speculative drop goal that failed to find the target. Crucially, however, France sent the kick-off straight into touch to hand the Boks great field position and a scrum in the middle of the park.

Then came a moment of controversy as De Klerk sent a pass straight into a France player loitering behind the ruck, but the referee saw it as deliberate from the scrumhalf and France got the put-in at the scrum, albeit still stuck inside their 22 with just minutes left on the clock.

That handed France one final chance to go on the attack, and despite taking it up into Springbok territory with some fantastic running rugby, South Africa’s defence stood firm as they held on for one of the most famous victories in their long and proud World Cup history.