The 2023 Rugby World Cup is down to the final four after the hosts France were knocked out and South Africa progressed to the semi-finals.
An entertaining pool stage saw France, Ireland, Wales and England top their groups, while New Zealand, South Africa, Fiji and Argentina finished as runners-up to set up a mouthwatering set of quarter-finals.
They delivered and then some. First Wales were edged by Argentina in Marseille, before the world No 1 side Ireland were left heartbroken in narrow four-point defeat to the resurgent All Blacks in Paris. England stumbled past Fiji with some dogged late defence on Sunday, and the last quarter-final was surely the best of the lot as South Africa beat France by one point in an epic encounter.
It means there will be two intriguing semi-final fixtures this week. The first was rather one-sided as New Zealand thrashed Argentina 44-6 on Friday night. It means the All Blacks will face either reigning champions South Africa face Steve Borthwick’s England as the 2019 finalists prepare to meet on Saturday.
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When are the semi-finals?
Argentina 4-44 New Zealand, 8pm BST, Friday 20 October
South Africa v England, 8pm BST, Saturday 21 October
When is the Rugby World Cup final?
The tournament began in Paris on 8 September with the host nation facing New Zealand, and will conclude with the final, also at the capital city’s Stade de France, on 28 October.
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