Two million attendance barrier broken at Rugby World Cup

Over two million fans have attended matches at the Rugby World Cup ©World Rugby

More than two million people have now attended matches at the England 2015 Rugby World Cup following a thrilling weekend of quarter-finals action, while attendances at official fanzones have also been praised.

South Africa came from behind to edge Wales 23-19 and New Zealand pulverised France 62-13 on Saturday (October 17), before Argentina surprised Ireland 43-20 and Australia scored a last-gasp penalty to beat Scotland 35-24 yesterday.

The matches won by South Africa and Scotland were held at Twickenham, while the other two took place at Cardiff's Millenium Stadium, with a combined attendance of over 300,000 across the four games.

This took the tournament total over the two million mark.

"Four thrilling quarter-final matches across the weekend have now seen the attendance for the tournament exceed two million fans," said England Rugby 2015 managing director Steve Brown.

"With the fanzones full of fans again this weekend and social and digital media continuing to rise, we are pleased with the continuing success of the tournament and are look forward to the semi-finals this weekend.”

Strong attendances have also been registered at official fanzones set up around the country ©World Rugby

More than 60,000 fans watched quarter-final matches in designated fanzones.

As well as showing the games, these are also seeking to "play host to grassroots and community rugby initiatives and events to celebrate the game and the wider tournament".

"The magnificent fanzones have been the heart of a very special and record-breaking Rugby World Cup that continues to reach, engage and inspire audiences," added World Rugby chairman Bernard Lapasset.

"Nowhere has rugby's spirit of enjoyment been more evident than in the fanzones, where fans from across the nation have joined tens of thousands of international fans in a truly global celebration of friendship and rugby.”

More than 2.4 million tickets have been sold for the 48 matches, with an average of 97 per cent of tickets sold across all 13 venues.

A limited number of tickets remain available for the two semi-final matches, with more information available here.

Both semi-finals are due take place at Twickenham Stadium, with South Africa facing New Zealand on Saturday (October 24) at 4pm before Argentina take on Australia at the same time the following day.