2023 Rugby World Cup knockout stage explained

The knockout stage of the 2023 Rugby World Cup is the second and final stage of the competition, following the pool stage. Played from 14 to 28 October, the knockout stage will end with the final, held at Stade de France in Saint-Denis.^[1] The top two teams from each pool advanced to the knockout stage to compete in a single-elimination tournament. There will be 8 matches in the knockout stage, including a third-place play-off played between the two losing teams of the semi-finals.

Format

The knockout stage of the 2023 Rugby World Cup will be contested by the eight teams that qualified from the pool stage, the top two teams from each of the four pools. Matches in the knockout stage are played to a result; if the scores are tied at the end of 80 minutes, a 10-minute period of extra time is played; if scores remain level after extra time, an additional 10-minute "sudden death" period will be played, and the first team to score any points wins. If the score still remains tied, a kicking competition will ensue. All times listed are local in Central European Summer Time (UTC+2).

Qualified teams

Wales were the first side to secure qualification to the knockout stage after their record breaking victory over Australia in the pool stage.^[2] England became the next side to qualify for the quarter-finals four days later after Japan's victory over Samoa in Pool D. This result also meant England were the first team to be guaranteed top seed.^[3] New Zealand secured their place in the knockout stage after their pool match win over Uruguay.^[4] Hosts France also confirmed their place the following day after their victory over Italy.^[5] Ireland and South Africa both qualified from Pool B simultaneously following Ireland's victory over Scotland.^[6] Argentina edged Japan to progression from Pool D following their victory over the Brave Blossoms in their final match.^[7] In the last match of the pool stage, Fiji were narrowly defeated by Portugal in Pool C but still qualified for the knockout stage ahead of Australia based on their head-to-head record against the Wallabies who suffered elimination from the World Cup at the pool stage for the first time.^[8]

Bracket

Quarter-finals

Wales vs Argentina

FB 15 RW 14 Louis Rees-Zammit OC 13 George North IC 12 LW 11 Josh Adams FH 10 SH 9 N8 8 Aaron Wainwright OF 7 BF 6 Jac Morgan (c) RL 5 LL 4 Will Rowlands TP 3 HK 2 LP 1 Replacements: HK 16 PR 17 PR 18 LK 19 LK 20 SH 21 FH 22 WG 23 Coach: Warren Gatland

FB 15 Juan Cruz Mallía RW 14 Emiliano Boffelli OC 13 Lucio Cinti IC 12 LW 11 Mateo Carreras FH 10 SH 9 N8 8 OF 7 Marcos Kremer BF 6 Juan Martín González RL 5 LL 4 Guido Petti TP 3 HK 2 Julián Montoya (c) LP 1 Replacements: HK 16 PR 17 PR 18 LK 19 N8 20 SH 21 FH 22 CE 23 Coach: Michael Cheika

Player of the Match: Emiliano Boffelli (Argentina)^[9] Assistant referees: Karl Dickson (England), Jordan Way (Australia) Andrea Piardi (Italy) Television match official: Marius Jonker (South Africa)

Notes:

• Referee Jaco Peyper was forced to withdraw from the match in the 16th minute, after sustaining a calf injury. He was replaced by assistant referee Karl Dickson. Reserve official Jordan Way took Dickson's place as an assistant.

Ireland vs New Zealand

FB 15 Hugo Keenan RW 14 OC 13 Garry Ringrose IC 12 Bundee Aki LW 11 James Lowe FH 10 Johnny Sexton (c) SH 9 N8 8 Caelan Doris OF 7 BF 6 Peter O'Mahony RL 5 LL 4 Tadhg Beirne TP 3 HK 2 LP 1 Replacements: HK 16 PR 17 PR 18 LK 19 N8 20 SH 21 FH 22 Jack Crowley FB 23 Coach: Andy Farrell

FB 15 Beauden Barrett RW 14 Will Jordan OC 13 Rieko Ioane IC 12 Jordie Barrett LW 11 FH 10 Richie Mo'unga SH 9 N8 8 Ardie Savea OF 7 Sam Cane (c) BF 6 RL 5 Scott Barrett LL 4 TP 3 HK 2 LP 1 Replacements: HK 16 PR 17 PR 18 LK 19 FL 20 SH 21 Finlay Christie FB 22 Damian McKenzie CE 23 Coach: Ian Foster

Player of the Match: Ardie Savea (New Zealand)^[10] Assistant referees: Matthew Carley (England) Christophe Ridley (England) Television match official: Tom Foley (England)

England vs Fiji

FB 15 RW 14 OC 13 Joe Marchant IC 12 Manu Tuilagi LW 11 Elliot Daly FH 10 Owen Farrell (c) SH 9 N8 8 Ben Earl OF 7 BF 6 Courtney Lawes RL 5 LL 4 Maro Itoje TP 3 HK 2 Jamie George LP 1 Replacements: HK 16 Theo Dan PR 17 PR 18 LK 19 N8 20 SH 21 FH 22 George Ford CE 23 Coach: Steve Borthwick

FB 15 Ilaisa Droasese RW 14 OC 13 Waisea Nayacalevu (c) IC 12 LW 11 Semi Radradra FH 10 Vilimoni Botitu SH 9 N8 8 Viliame Mata OF 7 Levani Botia BF 6 RL 5 LL 4 Isoa Nasilasila TP 3 HK 2 LP 1 Replacements: HK 16 PR 17 PR 18 FL 19 FL 20 SH 21 CE 22 FB 23 Coach: Simon Raiwalui

Player of the Match: Owen Farrell (England)^[11] Assistant referees: Nic Berry (Australia) Pierre Brousset (France) Television match official: Ben Whitehouse (Wales)

France vs South Africa

FB 15 Thomas Ramos RW 14 Damian Penaud OC 13 Gaël Fickou IC 12 Jonathan Danty LW 11 Louis Bielle-Biarrey FH 10 SH 9 Antoine Dupont (c) N8 8 OF 7 Charles Ollivon BF 6 RL 5 LL 4 Cameron Woki TP 3 HK 2 LP 1 Replacements: HK 16 PR 17 PR 18 LK 19 FL 20 FL 21 SH 22 Maxime Lucu CE 23 Coach: Fabien Galthié

FB 15 RW 14 Kurt-Lee Arendse OC 13 Jesse Kriel IC 12 Damian de Allende LW 11 Cheslin Kolbe FH 10 SH 9 N8 8 BF 7 OF 6 Siya Kolisi (c) RL 5 LL 4 TP 3 HK 2 LP 1 Replacements: HK 16 PR 17 PR 18 LK 19 FL 20 SH 21 FH 22 FB 23 Coach: Jacques Nienaber

Player of the Match: Bongi Mbonambi (South Africa)^[12] Assistant referees: Paul Williams (New Zealand) James Doleman (New Zealand) Television match official: Brendon Pickerill (New Zealand)

Semi-finals

Argentina vs New Zealand

FB 15 Juan Cruz Mallía RW 14 Emiliano Boffelli OC 13 Lucio Cinti IC 12 LW 11 Mateo Carreras FH 10 SH 9 N8 8 OF 7 Marcos Kremer BF 6 Juan Martín González RL 5 LL 4 Guido Petti TP 3 HK 2 Julián Montoya (c) LP 1 Replacements: HK 16 PR 17 PR 18 LK 19 N8 20 SH 21 FH 22 CE 23 Coach: Michael Cheika

FB 15 RW 14 Will Jordan OC 13 IC 12 Jordie Barrett LW 11 Mark Tele'a FH 10 Richie Mo'unga SH 9 N8 8 Ardie Savea OF 7 Sam Cane (c) BF 6 Shannon Frizell RL 5 LL 4 TP 3 HK 2 LP 1 Replacements: HK 16 PR 17 PR 18 LK 19 FL 20 SH 21 FB 22 CE 23 Coach: Ian Foster

Player of the Match: Jordie Barrett (New Zealand)^[13] Assistant referees: Nic Berry (Australia) Karl Dickson (England) Television match official: Ben Whitehouse (Wales)

Notes:

• With this victory, New Zealand advanced to a fifth World Cup final – a new record for final appearances at the tournament.^[14]
• Facundo Isa (Argentina) earned his 50th test cap.^[15]
• Will Jordan (New Zealand) equalled the World Cup record of 8 tries scored at a single tournament (shared with Bryan Habana, Jonah Lomu and Julian Savea).^[16]
• After receiving a yellow card in the 66th minute, Scott Barrett did not return to the field, despite the sin bin period elapsing with 4 minutes still remaining on the clock. This meant that New Zealand finished the match with 14 players.^[17]

England vs South Africa

FB 15 Freddie Steward RW 14 OC 13 Joe Marchant IC 12 LW 11 Elliot Daly FH 10 Owen Farrell (c) SH 9 N8 8 Ben Earl OF 7 BF 6 Courtney Lawes RL 5 LL 4 Maro Itoje TP 3 HK 2 Jamie George LP 1 Replacements: HK 16 Theo Dan PR 17 PR 18 LK 19 N8 20 SH 21 FH 22 CE 23 Coach: Steve Borthwick

FB 15 RW 14 Kurt-Lee Arendse OC 13 Jesse Kriel IC 12 Damian de Allende LW 11 Cheslin Kolbe FH 10 SH 9 N8 8 BF 7 Pieter-Steph du Toit OF 6 Siya Kolisi (c) RL 5 Franco Mostert LL 4 TP 3 HK 2 Bongi Mbonambi LP 1 Replacements: HK 16 PR 17 PR 18 LK 19 FL 20 SH 21 FH 22 FB 23 Coach: Jacques Nienaber

Player of the Match: Handré Pollard (South Africa)^[18] Assistant referees: Mathieu Raynal (France)^[19] Paul Williams (New Zealand) Television match official: Brendon Pickerill (New Zealand)

Notes:

• Owen Farrell became the second highest all-time points scorer in test rugby (including points scored for both England and the British & Irish Lions), surpassing Jonny Wilkinson (1,246) and moving behind top scorer Dan Carter (1,598).

Bronze final: Argentina vs England

FB 15 Juan Cruz Mallía RW 14 Emiliano Boffelli OC 13 IC 12 Jeronimo de la Fuente LW 11 Mateo Carreras FH 10 SH 9 N8 8 OF 7 Marcos Kremer BF 6 Juan Martín González RL 5 LL 4 Guido Petti TP 3 HK 2 Julian Montoya (c) LP 1 Replacements: HK 16 PR 17 PR 18 LK 19 N8 20 SH 21 FH 22 CE 23 Coach: Michael Cheika

FB 15 Marcus Smith RW 14 Freddie Steward OC 13 Joe Marchant IC 12 LW 11 FH 10 Owen Farrell (c) SH 9 N8 8 Ben Earl OF 7 Sam Underhill BF 6 RL 5 LL 4 Maro Itoje TP 3 HK 2 LP 1 Replacements: HK 16 PR 17 PR 18 LK 19 FL 20 SH 21 FH 22 CE 23 Coach: Steve Borthwick

Player of the Match: Sam Underhill (England)^[20] Assistant referees: Nika Amashukeli (Georgia) Andrew Brace (Ireland) Television match official: Ben Whitehouse (Wales)

Notes:

• England finished as bronze medallists for the first time in World Cup history.^[21]
• Tom Curry (England) earned his 50th test cap.^[22]

Final: New Zealand vs South Africa

See main article: article and 2023 Rugby World Cup final.

FB 15 RW 14 OC 13 Rieko Ioane IC 12 Jordie Barrett LW 11 Mark Tele'a FH 10 SH 9 N8 8 Ardie Savea OF 7 Sam Cane (c) BF 6 RL 5 Scott Barrett LL 4 TP 3 HK 2 LP 1 Replacements: HK 16 PR 17 PR 18 LK 19 FL 20 SH 21 FB 22 CE 23 Coach: Ian Foster

FB 15 RW 14 Kurt-Lee Arendse OC 13 Jesse Kriel IC 12 Damian de Allende LW 11 FH 10 Handré Pollard SH 9 Faf de Klerk N8 8 BF 7 Pieter-Steph du Toit OF 6 Siya Kolisi (c) RL 5 LL 4 TP 3 HK 2 LP 1 Replacements: HK 16 PR 17 PR 18 LK 19 LK 20 FL 21 N8 22 FB 23 Coach: Jacques Nienaber

Player of the Match: Pieter-Steph du Toit (South Africa)^[23] Assistant referees: Karl Dickson (England) Matthew Carley (England) Television match official: Tom Foley (England)

Notes:

• South Africa became the first team to win a fourth World Cup title.^[24]
• South Africa became the first team to win successive World Cup titles away from home.^[24]
• South Africa became the second team (after New Zealand in 2015) to retain the World Cup.^[25]
• This was the third time that the World Cup final winner earned their victory without scoring a try – a feat previously achieved by South Africa in 1995 and 2007.^[26]
• Sam Cane (New Zealand) became the first player to receive a red card in a World Cup final.^[27]
• The four cards issued in the match (one red and three yellows) set a new record for most cards issued in a World Cup final. There had been just one card issued across the previous nine finals – a yellow card against New Zealand's Ben Smith in 2015.^[28]
• This was the first World Cup final in which both finalists had lost a match during the pool stages.^[29]
• This was the first World Cup final in which all four match officials were appointed from the same union (England).^[30]
• Brothers Beauden Barrett, Jordie Barrett and Scott Barrett all started for New Zealand – the first time that three siblings played in a World Cup final.^[31]

• Beauden Barrett (New Zealand) became the first player to score a try in 2 separate Rugby World Cup finals, having scored a try in the 2015 RWC Final and another try in the 2023 RWC Final.

Notes

1. Web site: Rugby World Cup Fixtures 2023 . www.rugbyworld.com . . 3 October 2023.
2. Web site: Gareth . Griffiths . Warren Gatland's side hammer Wallabies to seal World Cup quarter-final spot . 24 September 2023 . 14 October 2023 . www.bbc.co.uk/sport . BBC Sport.
3. Web site: Emma . Smith . Brave Blossoms' win puts England into Rugby World Cup quarter-finals. . 28 September 2023 . 14 October 2023 . www.bbc.co.uk/sport . BBC Sport.
4. Web site: Alastair . Telfer . All Blacks reach quarter-finals with 11-try win . 5 October 2023 . 14 October 2023 . www.bbc.co.uk/sport . BBC Sport.
5. Web site: Emma . Smith . Hosts earn crushing win to reach World Cup quarter-finals . 6 October 2023 . 14 October 2023 . www.bbc.co.uk/sport . BBC Sport.
6. Web site: Tom . English . Imperious Irish crush Scots to reach quarter-finals . 7 October 2023 . 14 October 2023 . www.bbc.co.uk/sport . BBC Sport.
7. Web site: Emma . Smith . Pumas set up Wales quarter-final with thrilling win . 8 October 2023 . 14 October 2023 . www.bbc.co.uk/sport . BBC Sport.
8. Web site: Phil . Cartwright . England to face Fiji in Rugby World Cup quarter-final . 8 October 2023 . 14 October 2023 . www.bbc.co.uk/sport . BBC Sport.
9. News: WAL 17-29 ARG: Argentina edge past Wales to reach semi-finals . www.rugbyworldcup.com . . 14 October 2023 . 15 October 2023 .
10. News: IRE 24-28 NZL: New Zealand edge Ireland in classic to book Argentina semi-final . www.rugbyworldcup.com . . 14 October 2023 . 15 October 2023 .
11. News: ENG 30-24 FJI: England end Fiji dreams in Marseille . www.rugbyworldcup.com . . 15 October 2023 . 15 October 2023 .
12. News: FRA 28-29 RSA: South Africa beat France in seven-try thriller . www.rugbyworldcup.com . . 15 October 2023 . 15 October 2023 .
13. News: ARG 6-44 NZL: New Zealand beat Argentina to reach final . www.rugbyworldcup.com . . 20 October 2023 . 20 October 2023 .
14. News: Argentina 6-44 New Zealand: All Blacks cruise into record fifth final . www.bbc.co.uk/sport . . 20 October 2023 . 20 October 2023.
15. News: Isa set for 50th Pumas cap in World Cup showdown with New Zealand . supersport.com . Super Sport . 18 September 2023 . 18 September 2023.
16. News: Will Jordan makes Rugby World Cup history with semi-final hat-trick . www.independent.co.uk/sport . The Independent . 20 September 2023 . 20 September 2023.
17. News: All Blacks 'alpha move' in the latter stages of World Cup win over Argentina . www.planetrugby.com . . 21 October 2023 . 21 October 2023.
18. News: ENG 15-16 RSA: South Africa edge England to book final v New Zealand . www.rugbyworldcup.com . . 21 October 2023 . 21 October 2023.
19. Web site: Referee change confirmed for England and South Africa semi-final . www.rugbypass.com . 20 October 2023 . 21 October 2023.
20. News: ARG 23-26 ENG: England claim third place with hard-fought win . www.rugbyworldcup.com . . 27 October 2023 . 27 October 2023.
21. News: Argentina 23-26 England: England overcome Pumas to win Rugby World Cup bronze-medal match . www.bbc.co.uk/sport . . 27 October 2023 . 27 October 2023.
22. News: England make wholesale changes for Argentina as Tom Curry hits 50 . www.planetrugby.com . . 25 October 2023 . 25 October 2023.
23. News: NZL 11-12 RSA: South Africa win tense final to claim fourth Rugby World Cup . www.rugbyworldcup.com . . 28 October 2023 . 28 October 2023.
24. Web site: Rugby World Cup 2023: Why does victory mean more to South Africa? . . 30 October 2023.
25. News: South Africa beat New Zealand to win men’s Rugby World Cup final . www.theguardian.com . . 28 October 2023 . 28 October 2023.
26. News: South Africa become kings of rugby with dramatic World Cup win over greatest rivals . independent.co.uk . . 29 October 2023 . 29 October 2023.
27. News: Sam Cane becomes first player to be red carded in Rugby World Cup final . www.planetrugby.com . . 28 October 2023 . 28 October 2023.
28. News: Rugby World Cup 2023 final, South Africa beat New Zealand, yellow cards, history, news, reacton, Sam Cane red card . www.foxsports.com.au . Fox Sports Australia . 28 October 2023 . 28 October 2023.
29. News: Springboks defending Rugby World Cup title against All Blacks in rare final showdown . www.apnews.com . . 26 October 2023 . 28 October 2023.
30. News: Rugby World Cup final referee and match officials confirmed . www.planetrugby.com . . 23 October 2023 . 23 October 2023.
31. News: Rugby World Cup 2023 final: New Zealand v South Africa - the incredible Barrett brothers . www.bbc.co.uk/sport . . 26 October 2023 . 28 October 2023.

References

1. Web site: Rugby World Cup Fixtures 2023 . www.rugbyworld.com . . 3 October 2023.
2. Web site: Gareth . Griffiths . Warren Gatland's side hammer Wallabies to seal World Cup quarter-final spot . 24 September 2023 . 14 October 2023 . www.bbc.co.uk/sport . BBC Sport.
3. Web site: Emma . Smith . Brave Blossoms' win puts England into Rugby World Cup quarter-finals. . 28 September 2023 . 14 October 2023 . www.bbc.co.uk/sport . BBC Sport.
4. Web site: Alastair . Telfer . All Blacks reach quarter-finals with 11-try win . 5 October 2023 . 14 October 2023 . www.bbc.co.uk/sport . BBC Sport.
5. Web site: Emma . Smith . Hosts earn crushing win to reach World Cup quarter-finals . 6 October 2023 . 14 October 2023 . www.bbc.co.uk/sport . BBC Sport.
6. Web site: Tom . English . Imperious Irish crush Scots to reach quarter-finals . 7 October 2023 . 14 October 2023 . www.bbc.co.uk/sport . BBC Sport.
7. Web site: Emma . Smith . Pumas set up Wales quarter-final with thrilling win . 8 October 2023 . 14 October 2023 . www.bbc.co.uk/sport . BBC Sport.
8. Web site: Phil . Cartwright . England to face Fiji in Rugby World Cup quarter-final . 8 October 2023 . 14 October 2023 . www.bbc.co.uk/sport . BBC Sport.
9. News: WAL 17-29 ARG: Argentina edge past Wales to reach semi-finals . www.rugbyworldcup.com . . 14 October 2023 . 15 October 2023 .
10. News: IRE 24-28 NZL: New Zealand edge Ireland in classic to book Argentina semi-final . www.rugbyworldcup.com . . 14 October 2023 . 15 October 2023 .
11. News: ENG 30-24 FJI: England end Fiji dreams in Marseille . www.rugbyworldcup.com . . 15 October 2023 . 15 October 2023 .
12. News: FRA 28-29 RSA: South Africa beat France in seven-try thriller . www.rugbyworldcup.com . . 15 October 2023 . 15 October 2023 .
13. News: ARG 6-44 NZL: New Zealand beat Argentina to reach final . www.rugbyworldcup.com . . 20 October 2023 . 20 October 2023 .
14. News: Argentina 6-44 New Zealand: All Blacks cruise into record fifth final . www.bbc.co.uk/sport . . 20 October 2023 . 20 October 2023.
15. News: Isa set for 50th Pumas cap in World Cup showdown with New Zealand . supersport.com . Super Sport . 18 September 2023 . 18 September 2023.
16. News: Will Jordan makes Rugby World Cup history with semi-final hat-trick . www.independent.co.uk/sport . The Independent . 20 September 2023 . 20 September 2023.
17. News: All Blacks 'alpha move' in the latter stages of World Cup win over Argentina . www.planetrugby.com . . 21 October 2023 . 21 October 2023.
18. News: ENG 15-16 RSA: South Africa edge England to book final v New Zealand . www.rugbyworldcup.com . . 21 October 2023 . 21 October 2023.
19. Web site: Referee change confirmed for England and South Africa semi-final . www.rugbypass.com . 20 October 2023 . 21 October 2023.
20. News: ARG 23-26 ENG: England claim third place with hard-fought win . www.rugbyworldcup.com . . 27 October 2023 . 27 October 2023.
21. News: Argentina 23-26 England: England overcome Pumas to win Rugby World Cup bronze-medal match . www.bbc.co.uk/sport . . 27 October 2023 . 27 October 2023.
22. News: England make wholesale changes for Argentina as Tom Curry hits 50 . www.planetrugby.com . . 25 October 2023 . 25 October 2023.
23. News: NZL 11-12 RSA: South Africa win tense final to claim fourth Rugby World Cup . www.rugbyworldcup.com . . 28 October 2023 . 28 October 2023.
24. Web site: Rugby World Cup 2023: Why does victory mean more to South Africa? . . 30 October 2023.
25. News: South Africa beat New Zealand to win men’s Rugby World Cup final . www.theguardian.com . . 28 October 2023 . 28 October 2023.
26. News: South Africa become kings of rugby with dramatic World Cup win over greatest rivals . independent.co.uk . . 29 October 2023 . 29 October 2023.
27. News: Sam Cane becomes first player to be red carded in Rugby World Cup final . www.planetrugby.com . . 28 October 2023 . 28 October 2023.
28. News: Rugby World Cup 2023 final, South Africa beat New Zealand, yellow cards, history, news, reacton, Sam Cane red card . www.foxsports.com.au . Fox Sports Australia . 28 October 2023 . 28 October 2023.
29. News: Springboks defending Rugby World Cup title against All Blacks in rare final showdown . www.apnews.com . . 26 October 2023 . 28 October 2023.
30. News: Rugby World Cup final referee and match officials confirmed . www.planetrugby.com . . 23 October 2023 . 23 October 2023.
31. News: Rugby World Cup 2023 final: New Zealand v South Africa - the incredible Barrett brothers . www.bbc.co.uk/sport . . 26 October 2023 . 28 October 2023.

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