Rugby World Cup 2023 Quarter-final: France v South Africa

South Africa takes on France in a monumental World Cup Rugby quarter-final at Stade de France in Paris on Sunday evening. France qualified as winners of Pool A, while the Springboks finished as runners-up in Pool B. 

Who makes it all the way?#RWC2023 pic.twitter.com/vVjUwCK3UZ

— Rugby World Cup (@rugbyworldcup) October 8, 2023

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South Africa looking for a fourth World Cup title, France their first

The Springboks are reigning world champions and have won the William Webb Ellis trophy three times, equal-most along with New Zealand, who also have three titles. South Africa won the 1995, 2007 and 2019 World Cups, beating the All Blacks (1995) and England twice (2007 and 2019) to lift the coveted prize. 

France is yet to win rugby’s ultimate prize; they are the only country to reach a World Cup final and not win the Webb Ellis. Les Bleus reached the finals of the 1987, 1999 and 2011 editions, losing two finals against the All Blacks in New Zealand (1987 and 2011) and Australia in Wales (1999). 

ALSO READ: THREE remarkable facts about the Springboks and France

The hosts and the defending champions have only met once previously at the World Cup. The Springboks beat France 19-15 in the 1995 World Cup semi-final in torrential rain at King’s Park in Durban. 

Rugby World Cup in France: South Africa has an unmatched record in Paris

South Africa has an unmatched record across three Rugby World Cups played in France, especially in Paris. The Springboks have won 11 from 12 World Cup matches spanning 1999, 2007 and 2023. The Boks have played at Stade de France 10 times, winning seven Tests. 

The defending champions have also won four of five World Cup matches at France’s national stadium. The Boks lost twice against France in 2001 and 2005 and to Ireland in the Rugby World Cup 2023. 

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The Springboks’ first Rugby World Cup win in France – who shared hosting rights with England, Scotland and Wales – was back in 1999 when they beat England 44-21 in the quarter-final at Stade de France. The game is famous for Jannie de Beer’s five second-half drop-goals.  

WATCH: Jannie de Beer sends England packing from Rugby World Cup in 1999 

South Africa played and won all seven of their Rugby World Cup 2007 matches in France to lift the Webb Ellis for the second time. The Boks played two Pool A games in Paris, one each at Parc de Princes and Stade de France, before winning their semi-final and final matches at the national ground.  

The Springboks’ good form in France continues to this World Cup edition, winning three of their four Pool matches. Jacques Nienaber’s side did, however, lose a first game in Paris when Ireland edged the Boks 13-8 at Stade de France on Saturday, 23 September. 

ALSO READ: Clive Woodward – ‘I hope France send the Springboks packing’ 

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