In Pool B, South Africa finished top despite losing their opening match against Japan,[4] ahead of Scotland in second place.
Pool D was topped by Northern Hemisphere teams, with Ireland coming first and France in second.
[5][6] Man of the Match: Schalk Burger (South Africa) Touch judges: George Clancy (Ireland) JP Doyle (England) Television match official: Graham Hughes (England) Man of the Match: Julian Savea (New Zealand) Touch judges: Jaco Peyper (South Africa) John Lacey (Ireland) Television match official: Shaun Veldsman (South Africa) Notes: Man of the Match: Nicolás Sánchez (Argentina) Touch judges: Romain Poite (France) Chris Pollock (New Zealand) Television match official: George Ayoub (Australia) Notes: Man of the Match: Matt Giteau (Australia) Touch judges: Glen Jackson (New Zealand) Pascal Gaüzère (France) Television match official: Ben Skeen (New Zealand) Notes: This was the first Rugby World Cup where no Northern Hemisphere team reached the semi-finals.
[14] The semi-final line-up consisted of the four Rugby Championship teams: New Zealand, South Africa, Argentina and Australia.
Both matches were played at Twickenham which was also used for the same stage back in the 1999 Rugby World Cup.