Fijian coach Ilie Tabua has joined the growing number pleading for a better deal from the IRB for second and third tier nations.

Tabua, a former Wallaby as well as a Fijian international, pleaded for more opportunities for the lower tier to play against the top teams on the international stage.

His comments followed Fiji's 20-37 loss to South Africa in its World Cup quarter-final on Sunday.

"It is time that the IRB and the tier one nations give us more opportunities ... more windows for test matches.

"We need to develop the Island nations," he added.

"The second half we wanted to get back into the game with just a couple more tries, but the bounce of the ball in the last 10/15 minutes of the game didn't go our way," he said. The Fijians came back from being 6-20 down to draw level 20-all, before the Boks eased clear in the final 20 minutes remaining.

"Everyone wanted to play for each other, they wanted to play for the country," Tabua said.

Fijian captain Mosese Rauluni also praised his team for a strong performance on the day and throughout the tournament.

"I'm so proud of the boys, it just goes to show that some of the second tier teams can put it to the first tier teams," Rauluni said.

"All I asked of the boys was to give it their all and they did.

"They gave it for their country, their families and their friends, they sacrificed time away."

He believed his team played with freedom during the match as they had absolutely nothing to lose in the knockout match.

"We came here with nothing to lose, South Africa had all the pressure on them.

"We caused them to make mistakes and we found a few holes and managed to get through. Credit to the boys, they managed to finish the moves off. We also had one try disallowed, but that's the way rugby goes.

"We had some upsets yesterday and we hoped to add to that, but unfortunately we could do it.

"Now it is up to South Africa and Argentina to carry the flag for the Southern Hemisphere.