Gulei Durand (right) Jeremy Durand (second left) with their mother (left). Photo: RNZ / Tiffany Salmond
Quarter-final weekend officially kicked off last night in France with the All Blacks booking their spot in the Rugby World Cup semi-finals, while simultaneously sending home the Irish and their heartbroken supporters.
With one last semi-final place up for grabs, the focus has shifted to the second heavyweight matchup of the knockout phase. Host nation France are ranked second in the World Rugby Men's Rankings and will go head-to-head with the defending champions South Africa.
The French have risen to the occasion and come out in droves to give their team the boost they need to push through to the semis.
Gulei Durand is attending the game with her brother and mother and says despite the rivalry with South Africa, she's looking forward to meeting with fellow fans after the final whistle blows.
"When it's a world competition we are all together. It's a war in the stadium but after we drink beer and that's really fun."
Gulei's brother Jeremy Durand attended the Rugby World Cup 2011 in New Zealand and laughed as he said he couldn't decide who was the better host.
"I'm French, I cannot say. New Zealand it's rugby country, you can smell rugby, you love rugby it's everywhere in New Zealand."
Ireland fans Jonathan Egan and his son Ted are supporting their second favourite team France. Photo: RNZ / Tiffany Salmond
Jonathan Egan and his son Ted are Irish fans who have traded in their green jerseys for blue, red and white face paint in support of their second favourite team France.
"I think France might do it just with their passion, I think they can do it which would be great for New Zealand so we'd like them to get to the finals with them"
Jonathan is feeling confident and said he wasn't concerned about any South African players upsetting his night.
"No none, absolutely none! Except unless they bring their bomb squad on in the second half but I think the French should be okay with that."
Deon Volsehenk travelled from South Africa Photo: RNZ / Tiffany Salmond
South African fans are largely outnumbered but they're not letting that intimidate them.
Deon Volsehenk travelled from South Africa and confessed that it was an unexpected turn of events which saw him at this year's Rugby World Cup.
"Can I be honest with you? Completely honest?
"I came here because I won a prize. I own a pub in South Africa and although I show games in my pub, I'm not really a rugby lover."
Despite his confession, he's certain the Springboks will be progressing through to the semi-finals next weekend.
"Of course South Africa! Why would I be here if I didn't think they would win."
June Jenkins and husband Ian, centre. Photo: RNZ / Tiffany Salmond
June Jenkins flew in from South Africa on Friday with her husband Ian and is relishing the moment.
"About a 22-hour flight, we finally got here. This place is just fantastic, it's unreal to be here to watch our game.
"I think everybody is nervous but may the best team win and I think we're going to win"
Regardless of the result, the streets of Paris are likely to be humming with fans and partygoers well into the night.
