The knockout stage of the 2023 Rugby World Cup was the second and final stage of the competition, following the pool stage. Played from 14 to 28 October, the knockout stage ended with the final, held at Stade de France in Saint-Denis. The top two teams from each pool advanced to the knockout stage to compete in a single-elimination tournament. There was 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 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).
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. 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. New Zealand secured their place in the knockout stage after their pool match win over Uruguay. Hosts France also confirmed their place the following day after their victory over Italy. Ireland and South Africa both qualified from Pool B simultaneously following Ireland's victory over Scotland. Argentina edged Japan to progression from Pool D following their victory over the Brave Blossoms in their final match. 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.
Pool Winners Runners-upABCD
Bracket
Quarter-finals Wales vs Argentina
FB 15Liam Williams RW 14Louis Rees-ZammitOC 13George NorthIC 12Nick Tompkins LW 11Josh AdamsFH 10Dan Biggar SH 9 Gareth Davies N8 8 Aaron WainwrightOF 7 Tommy Reffell BF 6 Jac Morgan (c)RL 5 Adam Beard LL 4 Will RowlandsTP 3 Tomas Francis HK 2 Ryan Elias LP 1 Gareth Thomas Replacements:HK 16Dewi Lake PR 17Corey Domachowski PR 18Dillon Lewis LK 19Dafydd Jenkins LK 20Christ Tshiunza SH 21Tomos Williams FH 22Sam Costelow WG 23Rio Dyer Coach: Warren Gatland FB 15Juan Cruz MallíaRW 14Emiliano BoffelliOC 13Lucio CintiIC 12Santiago Chocobares LW 11Mateo CarrerasFH 10Santiago Carreras SH 9 Tomás Cubelli N8 8 Facundo Isa OF 7 Marcos KremerBF 6 Juan Martín GonzálezRL 5 Tomás Lavanini LL 4 Guido PettiTP 3 Francisco Gómez Kodela HK 2 Julián Montoya (c) LP 1 Thomas Gallo Replacements:HK 16Agustín Creevy PR 17Joel Sclavi PR 18Eduardo Bello LK 19Matías Alemanno N8 20Rodrigo Bruni SH 21Lautaro Bazán FH 22Nicolás Sánchez CE 23Matías Moroni Coach: Michael Cheika Player of the Match: Emiliano Boffelli (Argentina)
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 15Hugo KeenanRW 14Mack Hansen OC 13Garry RingroseIC 12Bundee AkiLW 11James LoweFH 10Johnny Sexton (c)SH 9 Jamison Gibson-Park N8 8 Caelan DorisOF 7 Josh van der Flier BF 6 Peter O'MahonyRL 5 Iain Henderson LL 4 Tadhg BeirneTP 3 Tadhg Furlong HK 2 Dan Sheehan LP 1 Andrew Porter Replacements:HK 16Rónan Kelleher PR 17Dave Kilcoyne PR 18Finlay Bealham LK 19Joe McCarthy N8 20Jack Conan SH 21Conor Murray FH 22Jack CrowleyFB 23Jimmy O'Brien Coach: Andy Farrell FB 15Beauden BarrettRW 14Will JordanOC 13Rieko IoaneIC 12Jordie BarrettLW 11Leicester Fainga'anuku FH 10Richie Mo'ungaSH 9 Aaron Smith N8 8 Ardie SaveaOF 7 Sam Cane (c) BF 6 Shannon Frizell RL 5 Scott BarrettLL 4 Brodie Retallick TP 3 Tyrel Lomax HK 2 Codie Taylor LP 1 Ethan de Groot Replacements:HK 16Dane Coles PR 17Tamaiti Williams PR 18Fletcher Newell LK 19Sam Whitelock FL 20Dalton Papalii SH 21Finlay ChristieFB 22Damian McKenzieCE 23Anton Lienert-Brown Coach: Ian Foster Player of the Match: Ardie Savea (New Zealand)
Assistant referees: Matthew Carley (England) Christophe Ridley (England) Television match official: Tom Foley (England)
England vs Fiji
FB 15Marcus Smith RW 14Jonny May OC 13Joe MarchantIC 12Manu TuilagiLW 11Elliot DalyFH 10Owen Farrell (c)SH 9 Alex Mitchell N8 8 Ben EarlOF 7 Tom Curry BF 6 Courtney LawesRL 5 Ollie Chessum LL 4 Maro ItojeTP 3 Dan Cole HK 2 Jamie GeorgeLP 1 Ellis Genge Replacements:HK 16Theo DanPR 17Joe Marler PR 18Kyle Sinckler LK 19George Martin N8 20Billy Vunipola SH 21Danny Care FH 22George FordCE 23Ollie Lawrence Coach: Steve Borthwick FB 15Ilaisa DroaseseRW 14Vinaya Habosi OC 13Waisea Nayacalevu (c)IC 12Josua Tuisova LW 11Semi RadradraFH 10Vilimoni BotituSH 9 Frank Lomani N8 8 Viliame MataOF 7 Levani BotiaBF 6 Lekima Tagitagivalu RL 5 Albert Tuisue LL 4 Isoa NasilasilaTP 3 Luke Tagi HK 2 Tevita Ikanivere LP 1 Eroni Mawi Replacements:HK 16Sam Matavesi PR 17Peni Ravai PR 18Mesake Doge FL 19Meli Derenalagi FL 20Vilive Miramira SH 21Simione Kuruvoli CE 22Iosefo Masi FB 23Sireli Maqala Coach: Simon Raiwalui Player of the Match: Owen Farrell (England)
Assistant referees: Nic Berry (Australia) Pierre Brousset (France) Television match official: Ben Whitehouse (Wales)
France vs South Africa
FB 15Thomas RamosRW 14Damian PenaudOC 13Gaël FickouIC 12Jonathan DantyLW 11Louis Bielle-BiarreyFH 10Matthieu Jalibert SH 9 Antoine Dupont (c)N8 8 Grégory Alldritt OF 7 Charles OllivonBF 6 Anthony Jelonch RL 5 Thibaud Flament LL 4 Cameron WokiTP 3 Uini Atonio HK 2 Peato Mauvaka LP 1 Cyril Baille Replacements:HK 16Pierre Bourgarit PR 17Reda Wardi PR 18Dorian Aldegheri LK 19Romain Taofifénua FL 20François Cros FL 21Sekou Macalou SH 22Maxime LucuCE 23Yoram Moefana Coach: Fabien Galthié FB 15Damian Willemse RW 14Kurt-Lee ArendseOC 13Jesse KrielIC 12Damian de AllendeLW 11Cheslin KolbeFH 10Manie Libbok SH 9 Cobus Reinach N8 8 Duane Vermeulen BF 7 Pieter-Steph du Toit OF 6 Siya Kolisi (c) RL 5 Franco Mostert LL 4 Eben Etzebeth TP 3 Frans Malherbe HK 2 Bongi Mbonambi LP 1 Steven Kitshoff Replacements:HK 16Deon Fourie PR 17Ox Nché PR 18Vincent Koch LK 19RG Snyman FL 20Kwagga Smith SH 21Faf de Klerk FH 22Handré Pollard FB 23Willie le Roux Coach: Jacques Nienaber Player of the Match: Bongi Mbonambi (South Africa)
Assistant referees: Paul Williams (New Zealand) James Doleman (New Zealand) Television match official: Brendon Pickerill (New Zealand)
Semi-finals Argentina vs New Zealand
FB 15Juan Cruz MallíaRW 14Emiliano BoffelliOC 13Lucio CintiIC 12Santiago Chocobares LW 11Mateo CarrerasFH 10Santiago Carreras SH 9 Gonzalo Bertranou N8 8 Facundo Isa OF 7 Marcos KremerBF 6 Juan Martín GonzálezRL 5 Tomás Lavanini LL 4 Guido PettiTP 3 Francisco Gómez Kodela HK 2 Julián Montoya (c) LP 1 Thomas Gallo Replacements:HK 16Agustín Creevy PR 17Joel Sclavi PR 18Eduardo Bello LK 19Matías Alemanno N8 20Rodrigo Bruni SH 21Lautaro Bazán FH 22Nicolás Sánchez CE 23Matías Moroni Coach: Michael Cheika FB 15Beauden Barrett RW 14Will JordanOC 13Rieko Ioane IC 12Jordie BarrettLW 11Mark Tele'aFH 10Richie Mo'ungaSH 9 Aaron Smith N8 8 Ardie SaveaOF 7 Sam Cane (c) BF 6 Shannon FrizellRL 5 Scott Barrett LL 4 Sam Whitelock TP 3 Tyrel Lomax HK 2 Codie Taylor LP 1 Ethan de Groot Replacements:HK 16Samisoni Taukei'aho PR 17Tamaiti Williams PR 18Fletcher Newell LK 19Brodie Retallick FL 20Dalton Papalii SH 21Finlay Christie FB 22Damian McKenzie CE 23Anton Lienert-Brown Coach: Ian Foster Player of the Match: Jordie Barrett (New Zealand)
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. Facundo Isa (Argentina) earned his 50th test cap. 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). 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.
England vs South Africa
FB 15Freddie StewardRW 14Jonny May OC 13Joe MarchantIC 12Manu Tuilagi LW 11Elliot DalyFH 10Owen Farrell (c)SH 9 Alex Mitchell N8 8 Ben EarlOF 7 Tom Curry BF 6 Courtney LawesRL 5 George Martin LL 4 Maro ItojeTP 3 Dan Cole HK 2 Jamie GeorgeLP 1 Joe Marler Replacements:HK 16Theo DanPR 17Ellis Genge PR 18Kyle Sinckler LK 19Ollie Chessum N8 20Billy Vunipola SH 21Danny Care FH 22George Ford CE 23Ollie Lawrence Coach: Steve Borthwick FB 15Damian Willemse RW 14Kurt-Lee ArendseOC 13Jesse KrielIC 12Damian de AllendeLW 11Cheslin KolbeFH 10Manie Libbok SH 9 Cobus Reinach N8 8 Duane Vermeulen BF 7 Pieter-Steph du ToitOF 6 Siya Kolisi (c) RL 5 Franco MostertLL 4 Eben Etzebeth TP 3 Frans Malherbe HK 2 Bongi MbonambiLP 1 Steven Kitshoff Replacements:HK 16Deon Fourie PR 17Ox Nché PR 18Vincent Koch LK 19RG Snyman FL 20Kwagga Smith SH 21Faf de Klerk FH 22Handré Pollard FB 23Willie le Roux Coach: Jacques Nienaber Player of the Match: Handré Pollard (South Africa)
Assistant referees: Mathieu Raynal (France) 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 15Juan Cruz MallíaRW 14Emiliano BoffelliOC 13Lucio Cinti IC 12Jeronimo de la FuenteLW 11Mateo CarrerasFH 10Santiago Carreras SH 9 Tomás Cubelli N8 8 Facundo Isa OF 7 Marcos KremerBF 6 Juan Martín GonzálezRL 5 Pedro Rubiolo LL 4 Guido PettiTP 3 Francisco Gómez Kodela HK 2 Julian Montoya (c) LP 1 Thomas Gallo Replacements:HK 16Agustín Creevy PR 17Joel Sclavi PR 18Eduardo Bello LK 19Matías Alemanno N8 20Rodrigo Bruni SH 21Lautaro Bazán FH 22Nicolás Sánchez CE 23Matías Moroni Coach: Michael Cheika FB 15Marcus SmithRW 14Freddie StewardOC 13Joe MarchantIC 12Manu Tuilagi LW 11Henry Arundell FH 10Owen Farrell (c)SH 9 Ben Youngs N8 8 Ben EarlOF 7 Sam UnderhillBF 6 Tom Curry RL 5 Ollie Chessum LL 4 Maro ItojeTP 3 Will Stuart HK 2 Theo Dan LP 1 Ellis Genge Replacements:HK 16Jamie George PR 17Bevan Rodd PR 18Dan Cole LK 19David Ribbans FL 20Lewis Ludlam SH 21Danny Care FH 22George Ford CE 23Ollie Lawrence Coach: Steve Borthwick Player of the Match: Sam Underhill (England)
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. Tom Curry (England) earned his 50th test cap.
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.
Final: New Zealand vs South Africa