France Edges Past South Africa in Thrilling Match

France Claims 21-19 Victory Over South Africa, Ending Five-Match Losing Streak

Nations Championship

France (21) 21

Tries: Grandidier-Nkanang, Attissogbe, Bielle-Biarrey Cons: Lucu (3)

South Africa (7) 19

Tries: Wessels, Reinach, Marx Cons: Feinberg-Mngomezulu (2)

France ended their five-match losing streak against South Africa with a gripping 21-19 win at Stade de France in Paris.

The triumph complicates the world champions’ chances of securing a spot in the Nations Championship final while bolstering Les Bleus’ position to lead the northern hemisphere standings.

With leadership from captain Antoine Dupont, the French team showcased their skill and strategy, scoring three tries in the first half.

The back three—Aaron Grandidier-Nkanang, Theo Attissogbe, and Louis Bielle-Biarrey—each touched down during an exhilarating first 40 minutes.

South Africa managed to respond with their own score from a maul, courtesy of Jan-Hendrik Wessels.

A significant moment occurred early in the second half when number eight Jasper Wiese received a 20-minute red card for a shoulder charge, yet South Africa adjusted well in response.

With Cobus Reinach and hooker Malcolm Marx getting on the scoreboard, the match concluded with intensity as South Africa’s powerful set pieces mounted pressure. However, Manie Libbok missed a critical conversion that could have leveled the game.

As South Africa pressed for a win, a strong defensive play by Bielle-Biarrey disrupted their flow, allowing Dupont to secure the ball and seal France’s victory.

This outcome deals a blow to England and Ireland, who are competing with France for a spot in the Nations Championship final later this month.

Les Bleus, who now have a six-point lead at the top of the northern hemisphere standings, are set to face Argentina next Saturday, enhancing their chances to reach the final on Sunday, 29 November.

Dupont Shines in New Role

Due to injuries affecting France’s three first-choice fly-halves—Matthieu Jalibert, Romain Ntamack, and Antoine Hastoy—head coach Fabien Galthie deployed Dupont in the number 10 role.

Even while wearing the number 10 jersey for the first time, Dupont primarily played at scrum-half as Galthie faced off against Erasmus, who had made numerous changes to his front row before kickoff.

France kicked off with energy, executing a clever move that allowed Kalvin Gourgues to penetrate gaps, leading to Grandidier-Nkanang’s try in the corner.

Dupont’s impressive 50:22 kick, with South Africa’s Lood de Jager serving a sin-bin penalty, set the stage for a fortunate try by Attissogbe, who pounced on a deflected ball.

Dupont also showcased his creativity, performing a grubber kick that enabled Bielle-Biarrey to score.

While South Africa leveraged their power to score from a maul, the teams went into halftime with France in the lead.

Dupont did slot in at fly-half but mainly was deployed in his familiar position of scrum-half [Getty Images]

The match exhibited creativity, intensity, and physical play, drawing parallels to their previously epic quarter-final at the 2023 Rugby World Cup in Paris.

Despite losing Wiese to a temporary red card early in the second half, the Springboks capitalized on Grandidier-Nkanang’s sin-bin.

Discipline issues and player fatigue contributed to a chaotic atmosphere, but the South Africans managed to regroup around their scrum.

Following a series of scrum penalties, the game saw France’s Regis Montagne receive a yellow card, leaving the hosts defending in the final ten minutes.

Creative defensive strategies and determination showcased the resilience of the back-to-back Six Nations champions, even as their scrum faced challenges.

The South African team pushed for a draw, which would have reflected the contrasting narratives of the two halves; however, Libbok’s errant kick raised doubts about his consistency under pressure in crucial matches.

Once again, the fine margins did not favor South Africa, who had previously triumphed in every knockout match during the last World Cup by a narrow margin.

With a match against Ireland next Saturday, the Springboks may now need assistance from England, who faces New Zealand the same day, to reclaim their position at the top of the southern hemisphere standings.

Line-ups

France: Attissogbe; Grandidier-Nkanang, Gourgues, Moefana, Bielle-Biarrey; Dupont, Lucu; Gros, Marchand, Falatea, Verhaeghe, Guillard, Cros, Woki, Alldritt.

Replacements: Mauvaka, Neti, Montagne, Ollivon, Staniforth, Capilla, Desperes, Gailleton.

South Africa: Willemse; Arendse, Kriel, De Allende, Hooker; Feinberg-Mngomezulu, van den Berg; Steenekamp, Wessels, T du Toit, De Jager, Nortje, PS du Toit, Kolisi, Wiese.

Replacements: Marx, Nche, Louw, Mostert, Hanekom, De Villiers, Reinach, Libbok.