Overview
- South Africa overcame a 14-0 early deficit to beat Wales 52-33 on Tuesday, outscoring them eight tries to five and clinching top spot in Pool A with captain Siphosethu Mnebelele and Liam van Wyk each scoring two tries.
- Fly-half Yaqeen Ahmed returned from a two-game suspension to influence South Africa’s attack and kicked six from eight, helping the reigning champions preserve their title defence heading into the knockouts.
- England edged Argentina 40-38 on Tuesday after holding a big lead and surviving a late Argentina fightback; England were reduced to 13 men in the final quarter and a last-gasp TMO review was cleared in their favour.
- Discipline shaped the deciders: Mnebelele was sin-binned late against Wales, Argentina lost Benjamin Ordiz to a 20-minute red card earlier in their match, and multiple yellow cards left England vulnerable in the closing stages.
- With seedings set by points difference (South Africa +125, France +60, New Zealand +57, England +37), the Championship semi-finals are South Africa v England and New Zealand v France on July 13, while fifth-place semis including Argentina v Scotland and Australia v Wales are scheduled for July 12.