Springboks net final four place

Fiji briefly threatened the greatest upset in World Cup history, pushing South Africa to the limit in their quarter-final at Stade Velodrome before going down 37-20.

The Springboks ultimately joined fellow semi-finalists England and France, but not before Fiji - conquerors of Wales eight days earlier - gave them a monumental fright.

Fiji wiped out a 14-point deficit to draw level at 20-20 midway through the second period after tries in rapid succession from wings Vilimoni Delasau and Sireli Bobo.

Lock Ifereimi Rawaqa came within inches of adding a third second-half touchdown, yet South Africa survived to book a last-four appointment with either Argentina or Scotland.

In the end, South Africa's forward strength and technical discipline guided them through.

It was not pretty - but the Springboks claimed tries by centre Jaque Fourie, captain John Smit, wing JP Pietersen, flanker Juan Smith and fly-half Butch James - with Francois Steyn and Percy Montgomery each kicking penalties and the latter adding three conversions.

Fiji nonetheless deserve all the plaudits after contributing hugely to a quarter-final weekend when the 2007 World Cup finally came alive.