Tournament hosts France were expected to notch up one more victory in their World Cup quest and cap an era of glory with the Webb Ellis trophy. But they were stung by the first big hurdle when defending champions South Africa edged them 29-28 in an epic quarter-final at the Stade de France.
The stalemate drew gasps from the home crowd, and even as the slender margin of defeat sank in the throes of silence, it was clear that both teams had played brilliant rugby.
Les Bleus will resume their quest to reclaim the top spot in the world rankings next year, with Galthie at the helm and backed by unprecedented resources. The French Federation (FFR) has an agreement with the league that runs the domestic Top 14 to fund Galthie until 2028.
Galthie remained loyal to the squad that secured a grand slam in the 2022 Six Nations and finished runners-up last season but added four uncapped players, including Pau center Emilien Gailleton and Toulouse wing Louis Bielle-Biarrey. La Rochelle flanker Paul Boudehent was also included in the group of 42 and will be hoping to impress enough in training camp to earn a place in some of the warm-up games.
The squad is rounded out by scrum-half Baptiste Serin and center Arthur Vincent, who have both endured two nightmare injury-plagued seasons but are back in total health ahead of the World Cup and are keen to show that they can return to the form they displayed in 2021 and 2022.
Galthie has no choice but to continue his quest with the federation’s backing (FFR), but that doesn’t mean he will be allowed to cut corners. He has a 50-strong staff, including a top referee on the payroll, and the resources to keep pushing France towards the summit of world rugby.
Despite their stinging loss to the Springboks, France will be re-energized by the prospect of returning to Paris for a semi-final clash with England, whose last-eight tie against Wales was just as entertaining.
That clash will be an opportunity for the French to take their game up a gear, and they signaled their intent from the outset when Garin Etzebeth crashed over for a try after just three minutes. The lead was short-lived as Reda Wardi crossed for a France equalizer, and then Kurt-Lee Arendse booted the winning penalty in the dying seconds after the Boks defense held up a scrum ruck. France kept trying to claw back into the game, but it was not to be. The partisan home support was silenced, and the hopes of a famous win faded in the throes of a painful defeat.
