Key quotes after South Africa beat England 16-15 in the Rugby World Cup semi-finals in Paris on Saturday, 21 October.
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“It’s unbelievable, it’s a lot of relief in this moment. Frustrated we weren’t at our best tonight, especially in that first half. We knew we had so much more to give but fair play to England, I think they put us under pressure in exactly the right areas. But jeez the fight we showed, never giving up, it is what we stand for as a team and as a nation.”
– South Africa flyhalf Handre Pollard after kicking the winning penalty
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“It was a big moment but it is what you want as a player on this stage, to have moments like that as a flyhalf is what you live for. It was fun.”
– Pollard on his 49-metre match-winning penalty goal in the 77th minute
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“I don’t have words yet. We’re in the final, that’s all that counts. We weren’t at our best. It’s about giving ourself another chance. Now we’re back in it with another shot. That’s what we want.”
– South Africa lock Eben Etzebeth following the win as the Springboks set their sights on defending their title against New Zealand next Saturday
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“I am unbelievably proud of this group and what they have done over this past few months together. It has not all gone our way as everybody knows, we have had everything thrown at us – it has been a rollercoaster.”
– England captain Owen Farrell
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“In any game like this you have to credit the opposition, who found a way to win at the end. South Africa are current world champions and world number ones for a reason. We thought we were going to win tonight and we came here believing we would win.
“The players deserve enormous credit for that. I think the tens of thousands of England fans watching here tonight and the millions watching at home will be very proud of their team.”
– England head coach Steve Borthwick
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“It’s going to be as big as it was tonight. The All Blacks played really well last night but we want to thank the South African supporters who came all the way here to support us and the ones back at home as well. Next week is going to be hard, it’s going to be special but may they stay with us and hopefully we can defend it.”
– South Africa captain Siya Kolisi on next weekend’s decider with New Zealand
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By Garrin Lambley © Agence France-Presse
