2023 Rugby World Cup knockout stage

The knockout stage of the 2023 Rugby World Cup was 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 were played to a result; if the scores were tied at the end of 80 minutes, a 10-minute period of extra time was played; if scores remained level after extra time, an additional 10-minute "sudden death" period would 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).

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]

Pool	Winners	Runners-up
A	France	New Zealand
B	Ireland	South Africa
C	Wales	Fiji
D	England	Argentina

14 October 2023 17:00 CEST (UTC+2)

Wales	17–29	Argentina
Try: Biggar 14' c T. Williams 57' c Con: Biggar (2/2) 16', 58' Pen: Biggar (1/2) 21'	Report	Try: Sclavi 68' c Sánchez 77' c Con: Boffelli (2/2) 69', 78' Pen: Boffelli (4/5) 39', 45', 44', 48' Sánchez (1/1) 80'

Stade Vélodrome, Marseille Attendance: 62,576 Referee: Jaco Peyper (South Africa)[9] Karl Dickson (England)[a]

Wales

Argentina

FB 15 Liam Williams  60' RW 14 Louis Rees-Zammit OC 13 George North IC 12 Nick Tompkins  65'  75' LW 11 Josh Adams FH 10 Dan Biggar  75' SH 9 Gareth Davies  50' N8 8 Aaron Wainwright OF 7 Tommy Reffell  55' BF 6 Jac Morgan (c) RL 5 Adam Beard  66' LL 4 Will Rowlands TP 3 Tomas Francis  66' HK 2 Ryan Elias  41' LP 1 Gareth Thomas  55' Replacements: HK 16 Dewi Lake  41' PR 17 Corey Domachowski  55' PR 18 Dillon Lewis  66' LK 19 Dafydd Jenkins  66' LK 20 Christ Tshiunza  55' SH 21 Tomos Williams  50' FH 22 Sam Costelow  65' WG 23 Rio Dyer  60' Coach: Warren Gatland

FB 15 Juan Cruz Mallía RW 14 Emiliano Boffelli OC 13 Lucio Cinti IC 12 Santiago Chocobares  27' LW 11 Mateo Carreras FH 10 Santiago Carreras  69' SH 9 Tomás Cubelli  55' N8 8 Facundo Isa  55' OF 7 Marcos Kremer BF 6 Juan Martín González RL 5 Tomás Lavanini  55' LL 4 Guido Petti TP 3 Francisco Gómez Kodela  55' HK 2 Julián Montoya (c)  66' LP 1 Thomas Gallo  66' Replacements: HK 16 Agustín Creevy  66' PR 17 Joel Sclavi  66' PR 18 Eduardo Bello  55' LK 19 Matías Alemanno  55' N8 20 Rodrigo Bruni  55' SH 21 Lautaro Bazán  55' FH 22 Nicolás Sánchez  69' CE 23 Matías Moroni  27' Coach: Michael Cheika

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.^[10]

14 October 2023 21:00 CEST (UTC+2)

Ireland	24–28	New Zealand
Try: Aki 27' c Gibson-Park 39' c Penalty try 64' Con: Sexton (2/2) 29', 40' Pen: Sexton (1/2) 22'	Report	Try: Fainga'anuku 19' c Savea 33' m Jordan 53' c Con: Mo'unga (1/2) 21' J. Barrett (1/1) 54' Pen: Mo'unga (1/1) 8' J. Barrett (2/3) 14', 69'

Stade de France, Saint-Denis Attendance: 78,845 Referee: Wayne Barnes (England)[9]

Ireland

New Zealand

FB 15 Hugo Keenan RW 14 Mack Hansen  56' OC 13 Garry Ringrose IC 12 Bundee Aki LW 11 James Lowe FH 10 Johnny Sexton (c) SH 9 Jamison Gibson-Park  61' N8 8 Caelan Doris OF 7 Josh van der Flier  59' BF 6 Peter O'Mahony RL 5 Iain Henderson  59' LL 4 Tadhg Beirne TP 3 Tadhg Furlong  53' HK 2 Dan Sheehan  64' LP 1 Andrew Porter  76' Replacements: HK 16 Rónan Kelleher  64' PR 17 Dave Kilcoyne  76' PR 18 Finlay Bealham  53' LK 19 Joe McCarthy  59' N8 20 Jack Conan  59' SH 21 Conor Murray  61' FH 22 Jack Crowley FB 23 Jimmy O'Brien  56' Coach: Andy Farrell

FB 15 Beauden Barrett RW 14 Will Jordan OC 13 Rieko Ioane IC 12 Jordie Barrett LW 11 Leicester Fainga'anuku  64' FH 10 Richie Mo'unga SH 9 Aaron Smith  37' N8 8 Ardie Savea OF 7 Sam Cane (c)  75' BF 6 Shannon Frizell  59' RL 5 Scott Barrett LL 4 Brodie Retallick  65'  75' TP 3 Tyrel Lomax  61' HK 2 Codie Taylor  64'  75' LP 1 Ethan de Groot  61' Replacements: HK 16 Dane Coles  65' PR 17 Tamaiti Williams  61' PR 18 Fletcher Newell  61' LK 19 Sam Whitelock  59' FL 20 Dalton Papalii  75' SH 21 Finlay Christie FB 22 Damian McKenzie CE 23 Anton Lienert-Brown  64' Coach: Ian Foster

15 October 2023 17:00 CEST (UTC+2)

England	30–24	Fiji
Try: Tuilagi 14' m Marchant 23' c Con: Farrell (1/2) 23' Pen: Farrell (5/6) 11', 34', 38', 54', 78' Drop: Farrell (1/1) 72'	Report	Try: Mata 28' c Ravai 64' c Botitu 68' c Con: Lomani (1/1) 29' Kuruvoli (2/2) 65', 70' Pen: Lomani (1/3) 20'

Stade Vélodrome, Marseille Attendance: 61,863 Referee: Mathieu Raynal (France)[9]

England

Fiji

FB 15 Marcus Smith 23' to 36' RW 14 Jonny May  65' OC 13 Joe Marchant IC 12 Manu Tuilagi LW 11 Elliot Daly FH 10 Owen Farrell (c) SH 9 Alex Mitchell  60' N8 8 Ben Earl OF 7 Tom Curry  74' BF 6 Courtney Lawes RL 5 Ollie Chessum  70' LL 4 Maro Itoje TP 3 Dan Cole  60' HK 2 Jamie George LP 1 Ellis Genge  60' Replacements: HK 16 Theo Dan PR 17 Joe Marler  60' PR 18 Kyle Sinckler  60' LK 19 George Martin  70' N8 20 Billy Vunipola  74' SH 21 Danny Care  60' FH 22 George Ford CE 23 Ollie Lawrence  23'  36'  65' Coach: Steve Borthwick

FB 15 Ilaisa Droasese RW 14 Vinaya Habosi  22'  46' OC 13 Waisea Nayacalevu (c) IC 12 Josua Tuisova  72' LW 11 Semi Radradra FH 10 Vilimoni Botitu SH 9 Frank Lomani  56' N8 8 Viliame Mata OF 7 Levani Botia BF 6 Lekima Tagitagivalu  56' RL 5 Albert Tuisue  76' LL 4 Isoa Nasilasila TP 3 Luke Tagi  23' HK 2 Tevita Ikanivere  49' LP 1 Eroni Mawi  49' Replacements: HK 16 Sam Matavesi  49' PR 17 Peni Ravai  49' PR 18 Mesake Doge  23' FL 19 Meli Derenalagi  56' FL 20 Vilive Miramira  76' SH 21 Simione Kuruvoli  56' CE 22 Iosefo Masi  72' FB 23 Sireli Maqala  46' Coach: Simon Raiwalui

15 October 2023 21:00 CEST (UTC+2)

France	28–29	South Africa
Try: Baille (2) 4' c, 31' c Mauvaka 22' m Con: Ramos (2/3) 5', 32' Pen: Ramos (3/4) 40+1', 54', 73'	Report	Try: Arendse 8' c De Allende 18' m Kolbe 27' c Etzebeth 67' c Con: Libbok (2/3) 10', 28' Pollard (1/1) 67' Pen: Pollard (1/1) 69'

Stade de France, Saint-Denis Attendance: 79,486 Referee: Ben O'Keeffe (New Zealand)[9]

France

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 Matthieu Jalibert  73' SH 9 Antoine Dupont (c) N8 8 Grégory Alldritt  69' OF 7 Charles Ollivon BF 6 Anthony Jelonch  51' RL 5 Thibaud Flament  50' LL 4 Cameron Woki TP 3 Uini Atonio  58' HK 2 Peato Mauvaka  64' LP 1 Cyril Baille  50' Replacements: HK 16 Pierre Bourgarit  64' PR 17 Reda Wardi  50' PR 18 Dorian Aldegheri  58' LK 19 Romain Taofifénua  50' FL 20 François Cros  51' FL 21 Sekou Macalou  69' SH 22 Maxime Lucu CE 23 Yoram Moefana  73' Coach: Fabien Galthié

FB 15 Damian Willemse  51' RW 14 Kurt-Lee Arendse OC 13 Jesse Kriel IC 12 Damian de Allende LW 11 Cheslin Kolbe FH 10 Manie Libbok  45' SH 9 Cobus Reinach  45' N8 8 Duane Vermeulen  51'  61' BF 7 Pieter-Steph du Toit  61'  75' OF 6 Siya Kolisi (c)  46' RL 5 Franco Mostert  45' LL 4 Eben Etzebeth  40' TP 3 Frans Malherbe  63' HK 2 Bongi Mbonambi  75' LP 1 Steven Kitshoff  51' Replacements: HK 16 Deon Fourie  46' PR 17 Ox Nché  51' PR 18 Vincent Koch  63' LK 19 RG Snyman  45' FL 20 Kwagga Smith  51' SH 21 Faf de Klerk  45' FH 22 Handré Pollard  45' FB 23 Willie le Roux  51' Coach: Jacques Nienaber

20 October 2023 21:00 CEST (UTC+2)

Argentina	6–44	New Zealand
Pen: Boffelli (2/2) 5', 35'	Report	Try: Jordan (3) 11' c, 62' m, 73' m J. Barrett 17' m Frizell (2) 40+2' m, 49' c Smith 42' c Con: Mo'unga (3/7) 12', 43', 50' Pen: Mo'unga (1/1) 38'

Stade de France, Saint-Denis Attendance: 77,653 Referee: Angus Gardner (Australia)[15]

Argentina

New Zealand

FB 15 Juan Cruz Mallía RW 14 Emiliano Boffelli OC 13 Lucio Cinti IC 12 Santiago Chocobares  63' LW 11 Mateo Carreras FH 10 Santiago Carreras  66' SH 9 Gonzalo Bertranou  50' N8 8 Facundo Isa 18' to 31'  63' OF 7 Marcos Kremer BF 6 Juan Martín González RL 5 Tomás Lavanini  41' LL 4 Guido Petti TP 3 Francisco Gómez Kodela  50' HK 2 Julián Montoya (c)  63' LP 1 Thomas Gallo  66' Replacements: HK 16 Agustín Creevy  63' PR 17 Joel Sclavi  66' PR 18 Eduardo Bello  50' LK 19 Matías Alemanno  41' N8 20 Rodrigo Bruni  18'  31'  63' SH 21 Lautaro Bazán  50' FH 22 Nicolás Sánchez  66' CE 23 Matías Moroni  63' Coach: Michael Cheika

FB 15 Beauden Barrett  56' RW 14 Will Jordan OC 13 Rieko Ioane  61' IC 12 Jordie Barrett LW 11 Mark Tele'a FH 10 Richie Mo'unga SH 9 Aaron Smith  56' N8 8 Ardie Savea OF 7 Sam Cane (c)  66' BF 6 Shannon Frizell RL 5 Scott Barrett  66' LL 4 Sam Whitelock  61' TP 3 Tyrel Lomax  56' HK 2 Codie Taylor  50' LP 1 Ethan de Groot  56' Replacements: HK 16 Samisoni Taukei'aho  50' PR 17 Tamaiti Williams  56' PR 18 Fletcher Newell  56' LK 19 Brodie Retallick  61' FL 20 Dalton Papalii  66' SH 21 Finlay Christie  56' FB 22 Damian McKenzie  56' CE 23 Anton Lienert-Brown  61' Coach: Ian Foster

Notes:

• With this victory, New Zealand advanced to a fifth World Cup final – a new record for final appearances at the tournament.^[17]
• Facundo Isa (Argentina) earned his 50th test cap.^[18]
• 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).^[19]
• 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.^[20]

21 October 2023 21:00 CEST (UTC+2)

England	15–16	South Africa
Pen: Farrell (4/4) 3', 10', 24', 39' Drop: Farrell (1/1) 53'	Report	Try: Snyman 69' c Con: Pollard (1/1) 70' Pen: Libbok (1/1) 21' Pollard (2/2) 35', 78'

Stade de France, Saint-Denis Attendance: 78,098 Referee: Ben O'Keeffe (New Zealand)[15]

England

South Africa

FB 15 Freddie Steward RW 14 Jonny May  78' OC 13 Joe Marchant IC 12 Manu Tuilagi  74' LW 11 Elliot Daly FH 10 Owen Farrell (c) SH 9 Alex Mitchell  53' N8 8 Ben Earl OF 7 Tom Curry 33' to 39'  69' BF 6 Courtney Lawes RL 5 George Martin  53' LL 4 Maro Itoje TP 3 Dan Cole  56' HK 2 Jamie George LP 1 Joe Marler  53' Replacements: HK 16 Theo Dan PR 17 Ellis Genge  53' PR 18 Kyle Sinckler  56' LK 19 Ollie Chessum  53' N8 20 Billy Vunipola  33'  39'  69' SH 21 Danny Care  53' FH 22 George Ford  78' CE 23 Ollie Lawrence  74' Coach: Steve Borthwick

FB 15 Damian Willemse  44' RW 14 Kurt-Lee Arendse OC 13 Jesse Kriel IC 12 Damian de Allende LW 11 Cheslin Kolbe FH 10 Manie Libbok  31' SH 9 Cobus Reinach  43' N8 8 Duane Vermeulen  51' BF 7 Pieter-Steph du Toit OF 6 Siya Kolisi (c)  51' RL 5 Franco Mostert LL 4 Eben Etzebeth  46' TP 3 Frans Malherbe  56' HK 2 Bongi Mbonambi LP 1 Steven Kitshoff  49' Replacements: HK 16 Deon Fourie  51' PR 17 Ox Nché  49' PR 18 Vincent Koch  56' LK 19 RG Snyman  46' FL 20 Kwagga Smith  51' SH 21 Faf de Klerk  43' FH 22 Handré Pollard  31' FB 23 Willie le Roux  44' Coach: Jacques Nienaber

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).

27 October 2023 21:00 CEST (UTC+2)

Argentina	23–26	England
Try: Cubelli 36' c S. Carreras 42' c Con: Boffelli (2/2) 37', 43' Pen: Boffelli (2/2) 24', 50' Sánchez (1/2) 68'	Report	Try: Earl 8' c Dan 44' c Con: Farrell (2/2) 9', 45' Pen: Farrell (4/4) 3', 13', 30', 65'

Stade de France, Saint-Denis Attendance: 77,674 Referee: Nic Berry (Australia)[23]

Argentina

England

FB 15 Juan Cruz Mallía RW 14 Emiliano Boffelli OC 13 Lucio Cinti  47' IC 12 Jeronimo de la Fuente LW 11 Mateo Carreras FH 10 Santiago Carreras  56' SH 9 Tomás Cubelli  51' N8 8 Facundo Isa  47' OF 7 Marcos Kremer BF 6 Juan Martín González RL 5 Pedro Rubiolo  66' LL 4 Guido Petti TP 3 Francisco Gómez Kodela  60' HK 2 Julian Montoya (c)  56' LP 1 Thomas Gallo  66' Replacements: HK 16 Agustín Creevy  56' PR 17 Joel Sclavi  66' PR 18 Eduardo Bello  60' LK 19 Matías Alemanno  66' N8 20 Rodrigo Bruni  47' SH 21 Lautaro Bazán  51' FH 22 Nicolás Sánchez  56' CE 23 Matías Moroni  47' Coach: Michael Cheika

FB 15 Marcus Smith RW 14 Freddie Steward OC 13 Joe Marchant IC 12 Manu Tuilagi  56' LW 11 Henry Arundell  66' FH 10 Owen Farrell (c) SH 9 Ben Youngs  51' N8 8 Ben Earl OF 7 Sam Underhill BF 6 Tom Curry  50' RL 5 Ollie Chessum  70' LL 4 Maro Itoje TP 3 Will Stuart  50' HK 2 Theo Dan  54' LP 1 Ellis Genge  50' Replacements: HK 16 Jamie George  54' PR 17 Bevan Rodd  50' PR 18 Dan Cole  50' LK 19 David Ribbans  70' FL 20 Lewis Ludlam  50' SH 21 Danny Care  51' FH 22 George Ford  56' CE 23 Ollie Lawrence  66' Coach: Steve Borthwick

Notes:

• England finished as bronze medallists for the first time in World Cup history.^[25]
• Tom Curry (England) earned his 50th test cap.^[26]

• The crowd of 77,674 was the biggest ever crowd for a Rugby World Cup third-place play-off/bronze final, surpassing the previous record of 62,712 set at the 2003 Rugby World Cup.