Defending champions South Africa edged hosts France 29-28 in a thrilling encounter on Sunday to reach next weekend’s Rugby World Cup semi-finals. 

The Springboks kept their hopes of a record fourth title alive thanks to fly-half Handre Pollard’s second-half points, setting up a last-four meeting with England back in Paris next Saturday.

In-form France were knocked out at the quarter-finals despite leading at the break in a huge disappointment for the expectant home support.

France captain Antoine Dupont made his return from a cheekbone fracture he suffered last month as the host nation eyed a first semi-final spot since they finished runners-up for a third time in 2011.

French President Emmanuel Macron was present among the 79,500 crowd expecting a match of the highest quality between Fabien Galthie’s France team, third in the world rankings, and Jacques Nienaber’s Boks, in second place.

Read the full story on the Times of Malta sports website...