The semi-finalists are set for the Rugby World Cup in France and this weekend promises to deliver the goods once again.

On the weekend, the Los Pumas of Argentina beat Warren Gatland’s Wales 29-17 in Marseille to reach the last four, while the three-time champions, the All Blacks edged the former world number ones, Ireland 28-24 to in Paris.

These two teams will go head-to-head on Friday night in the first semi-final that will kick-off at 21:00 at Stade de France.

Maro Itjoe - RWC

On Saturday, the 2019 losing finalists, England secured their spot in the next round with a hard-fought 30-24 win over a very spirited Fiji in Marseille.

The English have flown under the radar at the Rugby World Cup and this is something that has bode well for them.

One would argue that the English have enjoyed a fairly easy route to the semi-finals, but one thing they have done is to reach the next round of games unbeaten, while the Boks did lose to Ireland in the pools.

The English captain, Owen Farrell, said they have proven that they can find ways to win big games.

“I thought the team was brilliant in those moments. I don't know if there are another team in the world who can score two tries like Fiji did today straight off the back of each other.

“We managed to wrestle our way back into the game and we got in the right parts of the field. We managed to take our chances, not just that but we backed it up with a big defensive performance on the back of that.

“We did that last week as well, as Steve said, this team finding ways to win. When it came down to it today we did that I am pleased with that.”

Handre Pollard - RWC

Meanwhile, in the Springbok camp there is still a major buzz following their nail-biting 29-28 against France which immediately went down as a Rugby World Cup classic.

The defending champions put in a big effort towards the latter stage to send the host nation crashing out of a home World Cup.

The match was a gruelling affair and the physicality from both teams was taken to the next level.

Once against the Boks bench made a big impact and the captain, Siya Kolisi, said they will need more of the same this week.

“I think it's in the week, the guys who didn’t play, the pictures they show us. It is tough for those guys when they are not picked but they are selfless. The bench when they came on, we made the substitutions early and they made a huge difference.

“That’s what this team is about. When you get taken off, we knew how much support they needed, so we were shouting from the bench.”

Saturday evening’s semi-final between the Springboks and England at Stade de France kicks off at 21:00.

Morgan Piek OFM Sport