🔗 Share this article

The Springboks displayed their world champions' fortitude, fighting back from a 14-6 deficit and the opening period sending-off of lock Lood de Jager to crush France 32-17 in a physical Autumn international on the weekend.

Playing with 14 men for the entire second half, the South African side absorbed initial onslaught before dominating the French through sheer physicality and calmness, silencing a boisterous Stade de France anticipating payback for their World Cup disappointment.

24 months after their agonising 29-28 World Cup exit to the South Africans on home soil, France looked eager to set things right even without their unavailable captain Antoine Dupont. But France, now on a four-match winless run, buckled under the strain as their discipline disintegrated despite the visitors being losing a player on the eve of the interval.

France's Early Dominance

The French coach's side looked irresistible in the opening stages as wing Damian Penaud crossed for two tries to become his country’s record try-getter with forty, surpassing Serge Blanco's longstanding record.

A series of ill-disciplined penalties and a expensive sin-binning, however, handed the initiative to the Springboks who punished every error in clinical fashion.

South Africa fought back with tries from Cobus Reinach, André Esterhuizen, Grant Williams and Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu, who also kicked two penalty goals and three extra points.

Game-Changing Moment

It had all begun promisingly for the hosts. The full-back Thomas Ramos kicked a expertly placed grubber over the defence after the opening minutes which Penaud gathered to touch down. The winger added another soon after, diving into the corner to double the lead, and when De Jager was sent off for a dangerous tackle on Ramos, Les Bleus seemed in full control despite being only one point ahead.

Then came the Springboks' impressive revival through a mixture of precise offense and iron discipline.

The France winger Louis Bielle-Biarrey was yellow-carded for a deliberate knock-on, and the reigning title holders seized the opportunity.

Esterhuizen barged through from a driving maul after the Springboks had opted to go for the lineout after being awarded a penalty, before Williams darted through a splintered defensive line for a further score as the impetus swung quickly.

Sealing the Win

With the French shaken and conceding a succession of penalties, Feinberg-Mngomezulu sealed a remarkable recovery, evading the defence on the outside and sliding over the try-line before adding the extras to his own score.

South Africa have now beaten Les Bleus in 9 of their last ten meetings. The French team next face the Flying Fijians in Bordeaux on Saturday while South Africa travel to Italy.