The defending champions, the Springboks will face England in the semi-finals of the Rugby World Cup in France.

On Sunday night, South Africa edged the hosts France 29-28 in a thrilling and tense quarter-final to live to fight another day and keep their title defence alive.

The French were ruthless against the three-time World Champions and they did the tackle to physicality to the South Africans, and it is safe to say they did dominate upfront.

It was the Springboks grit and character that pulled them across the line, it was especially in the ten minutes after half time that the Boks made a step-up as the lock, Eben Etzebeth, was in the sin bin for a yellow card he received on the stroke of half time.

The Boks were outstanding in the final 20 minutes of the Test and Etzebeth made amends for his unfortunate yellow card by scoring what turned out to be the match-winning try.

The Springbok captain, Siya Kolisi, lauded the character of his team to find a way to win the knockout game and send the impressive hosts crashing out of the tournament in their own backyard.

“I just thought we really wanted it,” said Kolisi.

“We knew how tough it was going to be. I must give credit to the guys that came off the bench, they made a huge difference. And the guys that didn't play, the pictures they showed us, so we were ready for this game.

“Most importantly, the people back at home. Honestly, the support that we've received. You know, they can't afford to be here but the videos, the schools singing for us and the videos. That's who we play for. You know our families that are here right now.

“We play for the nation, it's not about us on this field any more, it's about the people back home and that's what's driving us. Win or lose they will see this kind of fight that you saw out there today.”

Earlier on Sunday, England beat a determined Fiji 30-24 in Marseille, while on Saturday Argentina beat Wales 29-17 and the All Blacks edged Ireland 28-24.

The All Blacks and the Los Pumas will go head-to-head on Friday, while the Springboks and England lock-horns on Saturday. Both semi-finals will be played at Stade de France in Paris, and both will kick-off at 21:00.

Morgan Piek OFM Sport