Spain and Argentina will contest the other semi-final at BC Place on the final day of the tournament.

In a dramatic twist, the Blitzboks had to take on Australia twice on the same day. Australia had narrowly beaten them in their final Pool B match, clinching victory with a golden try in extra time to book their spot in the knockout rounds.

When the two sides met again in the quarter-finals, South Africa put in a much more clinical performance. The Blitzboks came out firing, scoring three tries in the first half to take a commanding 17-0 lead. Despite a strong fightback from Australia in the closing stages, the South Africans held firm to claim a well-earned victory.

Shilton van Wyk. Photo: Blitzboks

Ronald Brown opened the scoring in the very first minute, but it was the Blitzboks’ swarming defence that really set the tone.

Ryan Oosthuizen crossed for the second try four minutes later, before Shilton van Wyk latched onto a brilliant inside pass from Selvyn Davids to add a third.

As was the case in their earlier encounter, Australia refused to go down without a fight. They capitalised when South Africa was reduced to six men following a yellow card, scoring two late tries, but the Blitzboks managed to hold on for the win.

Elsewhere in the quarter-finals, Spain shocked New Zealand (12-7), Fiji outclassed Great Britain (24-0), and Argentina edged France (12-7). Earlier in the day, Australia had claimed a dramatic win over South Africa in their final pool match, scoring a golden try two minutes into extra time after normal time ended 12-12.

Selvyn Davids. Photo: Blitzboks

Impi Visser had given the Blitzboks an early lead, but Henry Hutchison hit back for Australia to level matters at half-time.

The Aussies took the lead with just three minutes left on the clock, but Van Wyk’s try in the corner, converted by Tristan Leyds, forced the game into extra time. Unfortunately for the Blitzboks, Australia broke away to snatch victory.

Despite that defeat, South Africa still topped Pool B, with New Zealand finishing second and Australia third. The Aussies advanced to the quarter-finals as one of the best third-placed finishers.

Scorers:

Blitzboks: Tries – Ronald Brown, Ryan Oosthuizen, Shilton van Wyk Conv. – Tristan Leyds.

Australia: Tries – Ben Dowling, Josh Turner Conv. – Maurice Longbottom (2)

OFM Sport/Morgan Piek dg