France moved to the top of the northern hemisphere table after defeating South Africa 21-19 at the Stade de France on Friday night.
Les Bleus won at home against the world champions for the first time since 2005, according to reports from [rte.ie].
The hosts established an early 14-0 lead through tries from Aaron Grandidier-Nkanang and Theo Attisogbe.
The Springboks had been reduced to 14 men early on following a yellow card for lock Lood de Jager, as noted by [BBC].
“We weren’t just outplayed, we were out-thought,” South Africa coach Rassie Erasmus told [The Guardian]. “I’m not going to sit here and say I am going to take the positives – it feels shit.”
France scores two tries to build a 14-point lead
France capitalized on the initial numerical advantage, with Grandidier-Nkanang diving through a tackle to score. A second try followed when a pass ricocheted off Kalvin Gourgues, allowing Attisogbe to touch down, [The Guardian] reported.
South Africa responded through a Jan-Hendrik Wessels rolling maul, but France regained their 14-point cushion before the interval.
Captain Antoine Dupont weighted a kick behind the defense for Louis Bielle-Biarrey to score his 30th international try in 29 games, [rte.ie] stated.
The second half became a defensive struggle for the hosts. Despite Jasper Wiese receiving a 20-minute red card for a dangerous tackle, the Springboks mounted a comeback through Cobus Reinach and Malcolm Marx, according to [BBC].
Not our night in Paris, congratulations with the win @FranceRugby, it was a massive contest – match report: https://t.co/TkFcFkRkk4 🤝#Springboks #ForeverGreenForeverGold pic.twitter.com/4TzptLxGOM
South Africa needs other results to reach the final
South Africa’s hopes of reaching the Nations Championship final are now out of their own hands, [rte.ie] reported. The team must now rely on a New Zealand slip-up against Wales or England to progress.
France currently holds a seven-point lead at the top of the northern hemisphere standings, [rte.ie] noted. The team is scheduled to face Argentina on Saturday, November 21, as they look to secure their place in the inaugural final at Allianz Stadium on November 29, per [BBC].
Antoine Dupont started at out-half for this match, a tactical shift by coach Fabien Galthie due to injuries to Romain Ntamack, Matthieu Jalibert, and Thomas Ramos, according to The Irish Times.
“We have two icons, one playing in Bordeaux [Lucu] and the other in Toulouse [Dupont], whom we have wanted to bring together to lead this French team on Friday evening,” coach Fabien Galthie told a press conference on Wednesday.
Common questions regarding the match
What happens to Ireland’s standing in the tournament?
Ireland must defeat Fiji and South Africa in their remaining fixtures and hope that France loses to Argentina next week to claim the top spot, [rte.ie] reported.
Why was Jasper Wiese sent off?
Wiese received a 20-minute red card early in the second half for a dangerous shoulder charge, an action described by [Planet Rugby] as a “daft moment” that proved costly in a game of tight margins.
Who missed the potential equalizing kick?
Replacement fly-half Manie Libbok pulled a conversion attempt left and wide following a try by Malcolm Marx with nine minutes remaining, [rte.ie] noted.
A dominant maul by the Boks ends in Malcolm Marx scoring his 32nd Test try. Conversion is wide – France lead by 21-19 with seven minutes to go 🦏 Live commentary and match updates: https://t.co/ceFIAN3unB#Springboks #ForeverGreenForeverGold
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