The 2023 World Cup quarter-final fixtures have been confirmed with host nation France playing reigning and three-time champions the Springboks.
Following a dramatic final round of pool matches, the World Cup’s final eight teams were confirmed, as Argentina and Fiji on Sunday joined title-holders South Africa, hosts France, as well as Ireland, New Zealand, England and Wales.
The first quarter-final takes place on Saturday between Wales and Argentina at 5pm, followed by the world’s number-one-ranked side Ireland taking on three-time champions New Zealand at Stade de France at 9pm in a repeat of the 2019 World Cup quarter-final that saw the All Blacks win 46-14.
Ireland have won three of the last four fixtures between the two sides, including a series victory in New Zealand in 2022.
On Sunday, Pool D winners England will be looking to avoid another surprise loss to Fiji, after the Pacific Islanders crushed the Roses at Twickenham in a warm-up match.
Finally, France will take on the Springboks in what is bound to be a titanic tussle in Paris at 9pm. It will be just the second World Cup meeting between the two sides – the first coming in the 1995 World Cup semi-finals.
Saturday, 14 October
QF1 – 5pm: Wales v Argentina – Marseille
QF2 – 9pm: Ireland v New Zealand – Paris
Sunday, 15 October
QF3 – 5pm: England v Fiji -Marseille
QF4 – 9pm: France v South Africa – Paris
Photo: EPA/Sebastien Nogier