The best start to a Rugby World Cup match ever?! | France v South Africa | RWC 2023

The highly anticipated Rugby World Cup 2023 quarter-final match between hosts, France and current champions, South Africa, had absolutely everything! The two giants of the game came head to head in Paris, to battle it out for a place in the RWC 2023 semi-finals.
#Rugby #RugbyWorldCup #RWC2023 #France #SouthAfrica
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[@danieleckstein5689]

France was unbelievable. I thought it was over for us after that first try. So much talent in that side.

[@kilienodonnell5111]

I thought so too until SA managed to stop that second attempt of a try (somehow), showing their resilience in the hardest of times, just shows how everything worked well for them

[@80sMusicFan]

My opinion instead was that an eventual 2nd try inside the 10min by France would have cut the legs of the Boks, mentally (I presume) it would have been a heavy stone to overcome. The only way to beat them in my opinion is to make as many points as possible at the start of the game, and it was the same that Ireland apply in their win in the group stage. However Ezebeth has take a huge risk with that interception; I'd like to see some other replays as for me it's not clear if it wasn't a deliberated forward (see the face of Dupont after the Arendse try). Furthermore it would be interesting to see a replay regarding the Ramos 2nd try conversion, as I'm not sure Kolbe started correctly or in advance to intercept the kick (these 2 points missed, at the end of the game, were the difference between winning or losing...............)

[@dharamjuggath2379]

South Africa came back from a 3 try deficit against England (in 2 tests in South Africa) 3 years ago when England were formidable. So not sure a 2-try deficit would have been a "heavy stone to overcome".

[@nic-ci_66-77]

I think that too..: France lost the match on Etzebeth's intercept

[@80sMusicFan]

@@dharamjuggath2379 Probably you are right and I'm wrong, but last Sunday SA was abroad and with a full stadium against. However these are simple opinions...........👍

[@thembelanihdlamini5395]

When Springboks faced Ireland I thought that was the best rugby match I had ever seen, then Ireland played NZ and I thought that was the best, Then there was this F-N match. What a game, how did the Boks win this? I don't remember thinking we would lose but I was biased, France took us to a place where only NZ can. Thank you France.

[@sifisomagagula5476]

100% Jama

[@EditMovie17]

The Ireland vs sa game was the worst sa was not at there best

[@sifisomagagula5476]

@@EditMovie17 🤦🏽‍♂️

[@DRIVER-SEBVET]

​@@EditMovie17yes and we still walked away with victory, just tells you how great a team we are, Go Green And Gold, bokke 💪💪💪💪💪🔥

[@Coreylahey1000]

​@@EditMovie17BS

[@TalinhaMazibuko]

I’ve been watching every highlight of this game since Sunday 😂

[@rhys6851]

The intensity of the French, the defence of the Springboks. Unspeakable

[@p.b6032]

... the corruption of the referee ... unspeakable

[@kevinrtres]

@@p.b6032Yup! Giving a penalty that led to the 2nd French try when the ball was clearly out - the French player had put it beyond his own feet and there wasn't a frenchie in sight when Bongi put his hands on it. Absolute pure corruption of the referee. Disgusting to say the least. Now if one keeps on carping about the ref then one is just looking for excuses - it's a done deal - game's over, France is gone.

[@markdanielleanderson4323]

@@kevinrtres Schooled him bro 😂

[@jojomasipa379]

​@p.b6032 Have to agree, sending off Eben was the best move ever - he gave one of the strongest players 10min rest, and he came back well rested and stronger than ever. Also, the many off-sides he missed from France is disgraceful, but hey - THATS RUGBY. Grow up and look at the scoreboard. Love France's players. Worst, disrespectful fans. Although what an amazing tournament so far. Well done France on that.

[@markdanielleanderson4323]

@@jojomasipa379 I thought the Irish fans were bad the last couple of years but at least they can lose with dignity without blamimg the referee. Didn't see one Irish fan complain in their loss. France have a history of being victims.

[@sifisomagagula5476]

Seeing how great these matches are, where we see the best match three or four times in one competition just shows how the sport is growing. Even the so called tier 2 teams, Fiji, Tonga, even Japan, are showing signs of great things to come

[@perrynnlynch1883]

So true. Great comment.

[@phillipsugwas]

I cant wait for the Islanders to get the support from World Rugby they deserve plus the competitive games they need. Ditto South America. Lovely stuff emerging there. And lets not forget Portugal. Lots of credit though to Irish Rugby for fostering the game and having a really worldclass set of provincial teams....

[@nkoanammatapa6671]

This QF game is going to be talked about for years to come, this was a beautiful game.

[@michaelguest4247]

The entire first half was played at a breathless and furious pace. The second half after the half time adjustments became much more strategy based by both teams.

[@DRIVER-SEBVET]

I just love it whenever we score and they'd say "against the run of play", The disappointment in their voices gives me great satisfaction, glorious 😂😂😂

[@PrinceAsh327]

Last 10 min's also plz World rugby.

[@dotcam]

Eben Etzebeth changed the course of this match! His intercept (6:13) stopped France from potentially doubling their score to 14-0 and his challenge for the high ball (7:43) was instrumental in South Africa drawing level.

[@RastaAfricanGentleman]

France was playing beautiful rugby, well done to that team hey, it had us on the hardest chase ever yet

[@BoereViking]

Possibly the greatest match of rugby of this century? Or am I over exaggerating ? Most defnitley the best quarter finals in the history of internatioanl sports!! ❤️🇿🇦

[@adeptzol]

No, you are not mate.

[@patmc8457]

2000 bledisloe nz oz was crazy

[@andrestrat]

best 1st half for sure!

[@patmc8457]

And lomu in the last min

[@darthvader3465]

no

[@sportislit]

this should have been a final

[@p.b6032]

so we would have been robbed twice in final against SA ? interesting

[@Mariusmjvr]

​@@p.b6032Be proud. You have a team like no other. I'm gonna miss watching you, I feel empty because of it. This game could've gone both ways.

[@sportislit]

SA haven’t played France in a RWC Final

[@onelokie]

This game could go only one way, and the proper expression is: "This game could go either way." I think you should book a session with a therapist.

[@user-iw9ls4lc2p]

I doubt any other team could stomach this France start to a knockout at HOME

[@riaanlouw3956]

Man this is such a good period of Rugby, wow both teams leaving nothing on the field what a game!!

[@user-gb5lk9wu3g]

Best sport, best world cup, better teams!! Thank you France! From Argentina

[@user-bw3px3ud1r]

It's so amazing to see that the SpringBoks did not circum to pressure in the first 5mins - Showing composure and experience.

[@jaspermalan3640]

The try of the French so good, the response from South Africa insanely good

[@leopoldberger9037]

so france actually goes through phases, constructs play well, get to the line twice, scores once and that is so good, but then the boks kick it up, get a lucky bounce and that is better? how?

[@jaspermalan3640]

@leopoldberger9037 the French worked there try, they planned it and through there phases and score, a very very very good try, south africa kicks in the air, the French player taps it to the back, arendse runs through picks it up leave dust in the other players face and scores, a try out of nothing, insanely good

[@jchtiong]

That’s the springboks specialty. The high kick and chase. France dint defuse the high ball and let it bounce, not luck at all...

[@MorkelErasmus]

@@leopoldberger9037 you left your mom's salt grinder on the table. Please go pick it up.

[@randomstuff5869]

​@@leopoldberger9037yes and now France went through all phases of grief while springboks planing to destroy england

[@jonathanmitter4205]

Watching this hurts so much, but it also makes me soooo proud of our team

[@Bennyy19]

Your time will come my friend it is your destiny what fabien has done to change the philosophy of the French style is insane no team other than the all blacks can out width our defence like that and you guys did with such tiki taka rugby hehe Mon ami your time will come it is your destiny P. S win the six nations please.

[@MVAS12314]

As A SAFFA I can't help but feel that France will win the next one.

[@user-pv5bo6pw5u]

@@Bennyy19 it will never come for france. Third time they get cheated by the ref. Dunno why they still try.

[@Bennyy19]

@@user-pv5bo6pw5u has nothing to do with the ref, both sides were victims of bad officiating, france is on the rise and will only get better

[@Michael-gi5th]

Better side too, ref and tmo were biased against france in 1st half which no one seems to be talking about

[@christoduplessis8177]

The best matches since I can remember is Both semi finals of the 1999 RWC South Africa v New Zealand at Ellispark in 2013 (probably still the best) South Africa v Ireland 2023 RWC The top 4 teams in their 2 QFs in the 2023 RWC Special mention, Australia v New Zealand at Stadium Australia in 2000 and the 1995 RWC Final.

[@wayfara]

South Africa vs Japan World Cup 2015 for me (mainly because I was there😂 and supported Japan).

[@miniweeddeerz1820]

​@@wayfaraone of the greatest moments is rugby history

[@fuzzybum]

France looked unstoppable. How sa won - is awesome

[@deanjones2056]

Every single play in this first 10 was a highlight reel.

[@netale1]

I cannot watch it yet so painful. I ll need some time to watch this game again. Well done SA i was sure it was going to be a close one but i havent imagine that close. One day we ll get it we deserve one world cup for all we give to this amazing sport. Good luck SA and NZ for the final obviously the semis are a joke :(

[@deadmananchor5363]

I truly feel sorry for France and their fans and the rest of their ilk...I truly believe that they would've been a side capable of going all the way

[@RainBow_33]

The defending Champs South Africa and the hosts France❤❤❤

[@jegory6899]

That kick from Libbok under pressure

[@a..j3783]

Great deffense from SA, let hope they win against England! Go Pumas 🐆 and SH!!

[@lungilemawonga699]

What a great final before the final...superb great game....PLEASE PROVIDE THE FULL GAME HIHGLIGHTS

[@sandrajansevanvuuren7121]

This ban by RWC for using any footage in analysis is absurd and a loss to rugby. There was so much more than an excellent start by France in this game.

[@johnhanson5943]

Thought we were in for a hammering after 3 mins. Great french team. They did everything but win.

[@seanmonahan7195]

Thankfully you had a 16th player

[@dkwh9609]

@@seanmonahan7195sure bruh

[@Outdoorcookwarereviews]

The difference with South hem teams is they can handle pressure and know how to come back

[@markjon5687]

People don't understand the full picture of this game. France were amazing, the Springboks were really good, the first half was crazy. Every player on the field was finished by the end of the first half. Done, exhausted! That's why the Springboks took a scrum after the mark was called just before the end of the first half. People need to understand just how intelligent the South African coaching staff were, they knew the second half would be a simple game of attrition, so they adjusted, they also knew every player was exhausted. France were outstanding, but the Springboks were extremely strategic in how they handled the second half. Brilliant game from both teams.

[@quendiergaardt116]

Spot on that back ward clearance in the last 6 min followed by direct drop out is tiredness in my opion

[@Marekxk]

I think that Etzebeth played a crucial role in these 10 mins. And in the end of the match too by making a try. And also throughout this match👍👍👍😁😁😁

[@gawkimachine]

6:12 : Even if (and thats a big if) it was backwards by Etzebeth, PSDT knocked it forwards while jumping on the ball. Very lucky for SA.

[@chiganuggoo9929]

Change the youtube playback settings to x0.25 speed and do your own TMO session.... Eben knocked it back - just. As for PSDT knocking it forwards, there were 3 other times that went without penalising when committed by the French, so it's swings and roundabouts really. Fine lines that decide games. But then Ramos missing an 'easy' conversion cost them points that would have meant they won.... you could go on all day on the what if's, they were lucky, they were unlucky etc....

[@wadeywalton3829]

what a match🔥🔥🔥

[@100k-Maccassete]

the only thing i remember in that 10minutes are the tries _ the anxiety was blinding

[@yusufamojee]

top match best i ever watched

[@JTJ92]

moments and margins Greatest game in World Cup history potentially, with NZ vs Ireland the night before an equal contender.

[@izizovitch]

Almost a week have passed. I’m still grieving. Gods of rugby will never be on our side. So sad. That team was wonderful.

[@abdeslambala8015]

Meilleur match de rugby de tous les temps

[@willielombard1368]

So much for the home crowd support and doses of their own medicine. Check the end result

[@Frtavsiam]

Watching this it’s still painful as French. So proud of this French team! Well done SA you kept moving forward and it paid off.

[@victormawanda6322]

I heard these guys in green went on to win world cup back to back with one point in all the knockout games.

[@chinesespeakwelsh]

That booing when the big screens say "respect the kicker."

[@MorgMorg-uf6ps]

And some South African supporters shouting during the moment of silence before the match is another level of disrespect...😢

[@Justin-gm2fi]

​@@MorgMorg-uf6pssend links to them doing that

[@MorgMorg-uf6ps]

I know, its hard to believe but i think it was the only time some SA fans were heard... they probably thought the moment of silence was for them🤡

[@Justin-gm2fi]

@@MorgMorg-uf6ps you really thought you did something there didn't you

[@MorgMorg-uf6ps]

Just making it lighthearted, it was embarrassing...(i'm south african). Believe what you want...there are no links because no one cares. Just mentioned it...go bokke, bring hom huistoe☝️

[@dribblinonedirection]

What a game!!

[@blackhoundrise8431]

Imagine SA winning both Rugby World Cup and Cricket World Cup in same year. Both results are still possible with both tournaments under way con-currently.

[@kumarNAGENDRA.]

Netherlands are nightmare for africa in ICC matchess

[@ksogoni6003]

We’re the Ireland of cricket bra 😂 we’re going to choke

[@Justin-gm2fi]

Well we just lost to Netherlands so yeah.. we are the Ireland of cricket in world cups 😭😂

[@idesmasingi2663]

😂😂😂

[@lehlohonololepheana9394]

massive respect to france man they literally came out guns blazing and punched us straight in the mouth! the response from the boks was immense though they were never shook!

[@mfundomlumbi3214]

I hope they post the final 10minutes too

[@pierredebug17]

French supporter here. I thought the SA players did NOT deserve to be booed. I felt bad for this. The fact that they benefited from big calls has nothing to do with them, but only to do with who made the calls. This ended up being unfair to both teams, and what could have been one of the best match in recent memories, will also be remembered in part for the wrong reasons. C’est la vie! Congratulations.

[@rickyv2844]

Bad spirit of the French nation. It will forever be bitter taste of the French when talked about this game. Even after the game the French were negative agains the Boks. The threats on Cobus and his family… so so negative.

[@sportsbycompian]

The pace out the gate here was next level!

[@edgerat]

This RWC is the first time we have watched the rugby. I feel like this is a blessing and a curse to see this level of match so early in our experience, this game and NZxIRL wow.

[@Mariusmjvr]

Welcome to our world! You Are now part of our rugby family, we are all friends!

[@vamp8903]

We are all crazy rugby people ...

[@TheRealKlinky]

What a battle...both teams should be incredibly proud👏👏👏👏

[@mcollins9676]

Potential deliberate knock on at 6:10 not even considered by tmo

[@robertkoen5506]

Wasn't a knock on. The ball didn't travel forwards

[@Edward1312]

The charge down from the penalty in this game is very rare, I've never seen one from that position on the pitch and I've been watching the game for over 40 years. I still think what Kolbe did was illegal because he started running before Ramos moved if you watch the rerun and I'm amazed the ref didnt ask for a replay review or that the French players didnt insist the TMO be asked to give a view.

[@MosesMatsepane]

Match of the Century.

[@firevloe781]

Its a weird spot and i love it

[@Wildlife_SA.]

The Boks won away from home, with 70,000 booes against them! Well done BOKKE, you deserve this win. Forwards and backs, formidable! We salute you our Boys in Green and Gold! 🇿🇦💪👌🇿🇦🤜🤛🏉🇿🇦🥇🥇🥇

[@razeenmeyer9728]

This was some game. It was like the French kept on hitting us with a hammer.

[@yoneladlakadla3270]

Spring boks are going to bring back the world cup in South Africa yay😊🎉❤

[@kevinrtres]

Waaaayyyy too many possibilities out there. Anything can happen. Ball bounces just right or wrong, someone trips, someone canons into someone else and gets sent off - all kinds of possibilities. England bring a brilliant kicking game and launch successful penalties and drop goals from the 1/2 line.....and on and on and on...

[@floatpoint1050]

Have you forgotten about the England and possibly NZ. Both games will be unpredictable. I am mostly worried about England though as they will go into the game with nothing to lose and to make matters worse, they seem to be slowly finding their form again.

[@yoneladlakadla3270]

England is going down 👇

[@xolanimadlala2544]

my man of the match, Eben!!!!

[@arthurcherry303]

This is World Rugby Legacy. To whom it may concern, if you came back to watch this video, this clash of titans is the property and legacy of the South African and French soldiers that fought valiantly for their nation. Certainly, the referees, mere humans among 46 chosen warriors, got greedy and attempted to influence the outcome of the game with unworthy decisions. However, let us unite and remember this as witnesses of one of the greatest games, played by two of the best teams in the history of rugby.

[@johngtrotman]

I can’t agree that the referees tried to influence the outcome. Rugby is such a complex game, especially when played with such pace and power. There will always be judgement calls where people disagree. And also mistakes of course. If you have ever refereed you will surely understand this. The players respect the referees, much to their credit. Unless there is clear evidence of deliberate cheating by refs (and I have seen absolutely none) fans should too. It’s one of the great strengths of our game.

[@jebgue3]

​@@johngtrotmannot deliberate. Just incompetent. Ie Kolbes charge down

[@sbruns90]

If the Etzebeth slap-down is deemed deliberate, France get a penalty try and the game changes completely. Fine margins and a bold call from O'Keefe/TMO probably turned the game, which is crazy to think given it happened six minutes into the match!

[@neilturner5211]

Oh, it was absolutely deliberate, that part isn't in question. But the law requires it to be a deliberate knock FORWARD, and as the referee shouted multiple times, the ball went backwards. The French crowd can boo all they like: the correct call was made. I'll give the crowd the benefit of the doubt and say they just don't know the law; in fairness, it's a very unusual scenario, because usually if you're close enough to the ball that you can knock it backwards, you're close enough that you can actually try to catch it, so you don't often see people doing what Etzebeth did - slapping it backwards.

[@Scientist1994]

The french crowd unbelievable France were awesome 🇿🇦

[@robinwood1358]

recall the AB's did the same blitzkrieg thing (starring one Frizelll!) against SA in a recent Championship match as well, SA should be well aware of this

[@khanyanqundwana7526]

Exactly they start slowly and this could be a disadvantage against them

[@gkolivier8918]

That could be the reason why SA started the game with Reinach and Libbok, to meet France for speed and creativity in attack at the onset, then played De Klerk and Pollard off the bench to close out the game with stampkar rugby against a tiring side. Debatable whether it worked very well. I guess it worked just well enough.

[@Alltakenbla]

France understands Southern Hemisphere rugby. What a team. Huge respect for Le Bleu!!!

[@Sticknbkid]

Die Bokke, they don’t know us. This cup is written South Africa all over it if you think about how resilient this team is. You have to really run with a score line otherwise, you can’t outrun the springboks 🇿🇦

[@lazygit247]

Great game, greatest game? ..Yes. Shame France didn't make it, felt they were a tad unlucky with some calls.

[@lo2.220]

With the ref

[@IwasInThe60s]

That was an incredible start by France. In the last few minutes of the test you could sense that they were out on their feet.

[@zukisamhlakaza2218]

One of the great matches

[@Playsinvain]

Finally no spoiler😂. Granted it was for the opening 10 minutes😢

[@mboneni]

Du Pont the game changer, quick accurate smart ball movement.

[@paulmilsommusic]

Its good to see Northern hemisphere countries finally catching up to the pace in which southern hemisphere countries play at. I recall all through the 70's, 80's and 90's and some of the 00's. , the only good teams were Australia, NZ and S.A. No offence either.

[@greenplasticgun]

Not sure this will ever be topped, but I said that after the RSA/IRE game and after the IRE/NZ game, so....maybe an AB/SA final could top it? Good luck to all teams next week. Bokke!

[@Riana.dS.]

Well done France and South Africa. What a game !!!!!

[@foreignwarren7361]

How the Springboks won this game...is just beyond a lot of us! Real bad asses!

[@Mattyouyous]

Best game ever played!

[@loginroberts6673]

This Game caused anxiety.Respect to Both Side Players for No Fighting.❤

[@CoolRunningsCo]

As good a side that the French are, the Boks locked them down completely in the 2nd half. Took their kicking game away from them and closed it out. People love flashy rugby when we just witnessed a team go toe to toe with the French and then squeeze them down the stretch

[@libbaT]

An absolute monu MENTAL game of Rugby Union

[@TjakaErasmus]

I'm tense watching the replay!

[@StephenBeale]

Watching the highlights on KZbin I thought I had the speed setting on fast... Crazy

[@joeseph8788]

2 deliberate knock ons by SA in this vid

[@cubesc5638]

Didn't see a single one, which ones are you referring to?

[@bigmoche]

Please post the full game

[@Bhudanjabs]

upload the full match already, you know it will be watched and studied for years

[@renewablefuelsanalyst8263]

I still don't understand how Mbonambi got man of the match...he had a few knocks during the game and it put the boks under a lot of pressure

[@katlegomolokoe4437]

Where can I watch the full match?

[@andreliecer]

Que potencia tenía la selección francesa. La caída de un grande!

[@urlanbarros]

6:11 - strange... any comments about this penal try?

[@gatshenindlovu8224]

French side is really good, they also deserved a win the way they played. Class rugby .

[@kagisonko3279]

I don’t think that’s how deservedness works in competitive sports bud

[@gatshenindlovu8224]

@@kagisonko3279 yeah I'm aware bro, it's do or die kinda thing...wafa wafa bafo yeah I get it. I'm glad our soldiers left everything on the field.

[@SolvedNC]

​@@gatshenindlovu8224i wish these teams wouldve met in semis... The draw is terrible for this rwc The semis are gonna be very boring after this display in QF

[@LuiyoSA]

interesting to see Kolbe running to block the conversion even in the very first one

[@2killzore]

Looking at England, Ireland and France, it's certainly possible to beat south Africa or new Zealand in the world cup. But beating both is still just a nails distance out of reach. And I think it's made this world cup one of the best.

[@Sotanath86q]

Why is England included in that first sentence?

[@rooftile883]

​@@Sotanath86qSimilarities - in the 2024 RWC Ireland beat SA but not NZ, France beat NZ but not SA. In the 2019 RWC England beat NZ, but not ZA.

[@twinnett1714]

Some, game of rugby, but I have to say I found some the decisions of O'Keef and his team quite baffling, for both sides,

[@mikeherbert470]

Awesome Spring Boks massive win...yeee haaa ..frm NZ

[@NathaNaNath]

Are we not going to talk about 6:12 clear penalty

[@dengi2452]

It knocked backwards.

[@pn4960]

So frustrating to lose for one point especially when some arbiter decisions are… debatable 👀

[@paulmilsommusic]

0:40 number 12 for S.A takes on 4 french players and just about wins...BY HIMSELF.

[@shanegilbert6574]

This was the most clinical I have ever seen the Boks play...3 visits to France 22 3 tries...99 seconds of bal possession in the 1st half. Deep down in my Heart I had written us off because we are not as clinical as the ALL Blacks..that Twickenham game fore example ...we should have put 50 on them.

[@jericodavey1013]

I never get nervous when a team against S. A first score. I know they definitely make a comeback.

[@kevinrtres]

Ends just when you get warmed up...

[@jermainelewis6529]

Full match please

[@gearoidolaoi3045]

France should have had 2 penalty tries with Arense and Etzebeth in the bin after 6 minutes. Dupont was right, the ref had a bad night and helped SA greatly. However, France, learn how to catch the ball.