The final three weekends of the 2023 Rugby World Cup weren’t just a sporting climax—they were a dramatic, emotional, and psychological rollercoaster that would put even the most outrageous soapie to shame. If you’re looking for plot twists, heart-stopping moments, heroes, villains, redemption arcs, and devastating finales, you’d be forgiven for thinking this tournament was scripted. But no, it was simply rugby at its most raw, thrilling, and beautiful.
The Quarterfinals:
“The greatest in tournament history” isn’t an exaggeration—it’s a fact.
Within the space of 36 hours, the rugby world was treated to four consecutive quarterfinals of staggering quality. The world’s top four teams—Ireland, France, New Zealand, and South Africa—were all involved in contests that could easily have been finals. The emotional weight of these matches stretched the global fanbase to the brink. Lest we forget the classic that was Argentina’s rise-from-the-dead victory over Wales. Or the jail-break that England pulled off in the arm-wrestle the Red Roses had to endure against the Flying Fijians, after which the watching world could only express sadness and regret for the Pacific islanders in what was a missed opportunity.
Ireland vs New Zealand might go down as the most complete 80-minute Test match in modern history. A tactical masterclass met with bone-shaking physicality, high-octane ambition, and moments of genius under relentless pressure. The All Blacks ultimately broke Irish hearts, ending a 17-match winning streak, but the quality on display was so rich that even Irish fans acknowledged they’d witnessed something special.
France vs South Africa, played in front of a raucous Paris crowd, gave us possibly the greatest first 30 minutes of rugby ever played. Tries flowed like a sevens match, collisions thundered like a war film, and the pace was unsustainable—but magnificent while it lasted. It was rugby’s version of a 100m sprint merged with a heavyweight title fight.
The Semifinals: Two Stories, One Legacy
The semifinal between Argentina and New Zealand was a one-sided affair—an outlier in a tournament otherwise known for its razor-thin margins. But the other semi? That was the original smash-and-grab.
England vs South Africa wasn’t pretty—but it was unforgettable. England led most of the game with an intelligent, suffocating game plan that had the Springboks scrambling for answers. Then came a few inspired substitutions, a monster scrum penalty, and a nerveless kick from Handré Pollard. Somehow, improbably, the Boks snatched victory from the jaws of defeat. Classic knockout rugby: brutal, tense, and decided by inches.
The Final: A Psychological Thriller
The World Cup final between New Zealand and South Africa didn’t have the fireworks of the quarterfinals—but it was Shakespearean in its emotional depth.
A red card to All Blacks captain Sam Cane. A missed conversion. Defensive heroics. A Springbok side willing to absorb endless pressure just to win by a single, agonising point. For the last 25 minutes, every ruck, scrum, lineout, and kick felt like a potential turning point. It wasn’t a spectacle—it was a heart attack in slow motion.
The Springboks became four-time champions, the second nation to ever win back-to-back titles, their legendary foes that day having been the first. New Zealand, gallant in defeat, walked off knowing they had done everything right—almost.
Replay Culture and the Power of Memory
Thanks to World Rugby’s YouTube channel, these classics are just a click away. And yet, there’s something strange about watching them again. Even though you know the result, you find yourself hoping the bounce of the ball changes, that the pass sticks, or that the ref sees something differently. That’s the mark of storytelling excellence. These matches weren’t just games—they were narrative masterpieces.
What Comes Next?
Rugby World Cup 2027 in Australia has an impossible act to follow.
Yes, there will be thrilling matches. Yes, new stars will emerge. But to reproduce this level of sustained drama, elite skill, and emotional storytelling over the final stretch of a World Cup?
Unlikely. Because the truth is… rugby may have peaked at the end of 2023.
