Eben Etzebeth powers through for his match-clinching second-half try to knock France out of the RWC. -AP
South Africa have beaten France 29-28 in an explosive battle for the ages to set up a Rugby World Cup semi-final against England and consign the hosts to the exit.
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That either side should lose in the last eight seemed unjust given the breathtaking display of rugby delivered over 80 scintillating minutes on Sunday at the Stade de France.
Three tries apiece in an astonishing first half, bone-juddering tackles throughout, blistering line defence and exquisite individual skills left the almost 80,000 squeezed into the packed Paris stadium agog.
Smart box-kicking by the Springboks kept French hearts permanently in their mouths, with Thomas Ramos looking less than steady under the barrage of high balls.
Trailing 22-19 at halftime, the Springboks won a second-half tactical arm-wrestle thanks to their power, a mighty Eben Etzebeth try proving the difference.
England await, having overcome Fiji 30-24 at the Marseille Velodrome to book their last-four spot.
The other semi-final will feature New Zealand, conquerors of world No.1-ranked Ireland, against Argentina.
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