
New Zealand players perform the Haka prior to their Rugby World Cup 2019 Group B game against South Africa.

South Africa's prop Steven Kitshoff (C) is tackled.

New Zealand's wing Sevu Reece catches the ball.

Franco Mostert of South Africa wins a line out against Kieran Read of New Zealand.

New Zealand has never lost a World Cup group game but were made to work for their 23-13 win by South Africa.

Also on Saturday, Australia beat Fiji 39-21. Adam Coleman of Australia is tackled by Josua Tuisova during their Group D game between Australia and Fiji at Sapporo Dome.

Peceli Yato of Fiji takes on Reece Hodge of Australia. At one point in the second half, Fiji led 21-12.

Australia's flanker Michael Hooper scores a first-half try for the Wallabies. "We know them very well, their players and that's what we expected," said Australia coach Michael Cheika. "Probably didn't expect to be as far behind!" he added.

Waisea Nayacalevu (R) of Fiji beats Christian Lealifano to the ball to score a second-half try. However, two tries from Australia hooker Tolu Latu in five minutes ensured the Wallabies avoided a huge upset.

Saturday's other World Cup game was a Group C match between France and Argentina at the Tokyo Stadium.

Argentina's Matías Orlando is tackled by France's Romain Ntamack.

Argentina's lock Guido Petti Pagadizabal (L) tackles France's scrumhalf Antoine Dupont. France survived a remarkable second-half comeback from Argentina to record a thrilling 23-21 win.

Matias Moroni of France fends off a tackle by Ramiro Moyano of Argentina. The Pumas had a chance to win the game but Emiliano Boffelli was unable to put over a last-minute penalty.

France's Virimi Vakatawa looks to pass the ball to a teammate. France led 20-3 at half-time.

The Rugby World Cup got underway on September 20 as host Japan played Russia in the tournament's opening match. Russia's Nikita Vavilin is tackled by Japan's Pieter Labuschagne.

Japan made a nervy start with Russia very much on top in the opening minutes.

Japan's Shota Horie, right, and Pieter Labuschagne, center, block a kick by Russia's Dmitry Perov.

The match between Japan and Russia was preceded by the tournament's opening ceremony.

Russia scored first and led 7-0, before Japan gradually grew into the match. Kotaro Matsushima of Japan touches down for a try under pressure from Vasily Artemyev of Russia, but it is disallowed.

Japan led 12-7 at half-time.

Japan's Matsushima, left, celebrates with Yutaka Nagare, center, after scoring one of his three tries.

Japan's Labuschagne, left, fends off Russia's Yury Kushnarev on his way to scoring the Brave Blossom's fourth try.

Russia, ranked 20th in the world, only qualified for the tournament in May last year after Spain, Belgium and Romania were sanctioned for fielding ineligible players.