Quarter-final weekend, as it had always threatened to, saved its best for last. An extraordinary match of fluctuating fortunes ended with French players scattered across the turf, part despair, part exhaustion, denied the chance to prevail at their own World Cup.
Another in the eye for the global north. South Africa it is, brimming with all that World Cup knowhow, who progress to a semi-final against England, the only team left in the tournament from the north. Not even the most ardent fan in white would claim their team represented the best of the north.
