The knockout stage at the 2003 Rugby World Cup featured the eight teams that qualified from the pool stage (the top two teams from each of the four pools), competing in a single-elimination tournament. The stage began with the quarter-final between New Zealand and South Africa in Melbourne on 8 November 2003, and concluded with the final between Australia and England at Stadium Australia in Sydney on 22 November. England won the final 20–17 after extra time, thanks to a last-minute drop goal from fly-half Jonny Wilkinson.

Bracket

	Quarter-finals				Semi-finals				Final
	8 November – Melbourne
	New Zealand	29
					15 November – Sydney (Telstra)
	South Africa	9
					New Zealand	10
	8 November – Brisbane
					Australia	22
	Australia	33
									22 November – Sydney (Telstra)
	Scotland	16
									Australia	17
	9 November – Melbourne
									England (a.e.t.)	20
	France	43
					16 November – Sydney (Telstra)
	Ireland	21
					France	7
	9 November – Brisbane
					England	24			Third place
	England	28
									20 November – Sydney (Telstra)
	Wales	17
									New Zealand	40
									France	13

Quarter-finals

New Zealand vs South Africa

8 November 2003

New Zealand	29–9	South Africa
Try: MacDonald 16' c Mealamu 59' m Rokocoko 72' m Con: MacDonald Pen: MacDonald (3) Drop: Mauger 45'	Report	Pen: Hougaard (3)

Docklands Stadium, Melbourne Attendance: 40,734 Referee: Tony Spreadbury (England)

Australia vs Scotland

8 November 2003

Australia	33–16	Scotland
Try: Mortlock 46' c Gregan 59' c Lyons 64' c Con: Flatley (3) Pen: Flatley (4)	Report	Try: Russell 80' c Con: Paterson Pen: Paterson (2) Drop: Paterson 38'

Lang Park, Brisbane Attendance: 45,412 Referee: Steve Walsh (New Zealand)

France vs Ireland

9 November 2003

France	43–21	Ireland
Try: Magne 3' c Dominici 29' c Harinordoquy 33' c Crenca 47' c Con: Michalak (4) Pen: Michalak (5)	Report	Try: Maggs 52' c O'Driscoll (2) 65' c, 80+2' c Con: Humphreys (3)

Docklands Stadium, Melbourne Attendance: 33,134 Referee: Jonathan Kaplan (South Africa)