This clash of rugby giants turned out to be a magnificent showcase of the sport, but it was the Springboks who managed to keep their title defense alive, winning 29-28 and earning a spot in the semi-finals against England.
The match promised a captivating contest from the very start, and it certainly delivered. In the opening 10 minutes, Cyril Baille and Kurt-Lee Arendse scored tries for their respective teams. The attacking play from both sides was scintillating, with France's Damian de Allende capitalizing on a Manie Libbok kick to score in the 19th minute, only for Peato Mauvaka to respond three minutes later.
The champions extended their lead to seven points in the 26th minute when Jesse Kriel's perfectly executed grubber kick found Cheslin Kolbe on the left. However, Baille powered through the defense for his second try just six minutes later.
Towards the end of the first half, the intensity understandably waned a bit. South Africa's Eben Etzebeth was sin-binned for a head-to-head collision with Uini Atonio, allowing Thomas Ramos to kick France into a three-point lead with a last-gasp penalty.
The first half saw a record-breaking six tries in a World Cup knockout match, and the second half began on a quieter note, with Ramos scoring the first points with a penalty after 14 minutes. However, the Springboks, unrelenting in their pursuit, soon began to regain control.
With 67 minutes gone, South Africa decided to go for a try instead of a simple three-point penalty, and it paid off as Etzebeth used his towering 6ft 8in frame to burst through and score. Handre Pollard's successful conversion put South Africa ahead, and he extended their lead with a penalty in the 69th minute, setting the stage for a gripping final 10 minutes where France needed a try to win.
Ramos kicked a penalty with seven minutes remaining to cut the deficit to just one point, but France spent most of the dying moments trapped inside their own 22, unable to mount a late surge, leaving the Saint-Denis crowd disappointed.
