France vs South Africa LIVE rugby: Result and reaction as Les Bleus snatch thrilling win from remarkable Test
France 30-26 South Africa: Les Bleus snatched victory as both teams had a man sent off in an incredible Test match
France extended their impressive winning run to 12 games as they tamed South Africa 30-26 at the Stade Velodrome after a nail-biting contest.
Les Bleus had scrum-half Antoine Dupont sent off in the second half after the world champions were also reduced to 14 men following Pieter-Steph du Toit’s early exclusion.
But a strong finish, with a late try by forward Sipili Falatea and a last-gasp penalty by Thomas Ramos, earned Fabien Galthie’s side another win a week after they edged out Australia 30-29 in Paris.
South Africa were always close thanks to penalties by Cheslin Kolbe, as well as tries from Siya Kolisi and Kurt-Lee Arendse, but France were just a cut above, less than a year before they host the World Cup.
Relive all the action from France vs South Africa with our live blog below:
Wales 0-6 Argentina, 25 mins
The lineout maul gets inches away from the line and things then get frantic as Wales try to spread the ball to the backs and they knock on. Argentina pinged for being offside, so it’s back to the corner for Wales
Wales 0-6 Argentina, 24 mins
Nice offload from Tompkins to Rowlands and Wales then run through the phases. Good, disciplined defence from Argentina but the ref brings it back for a penalty from the original scrum.
Anscombe kicks towards the corner and the Principality Stadium crowd makes some noise ahead of the 5-metre lineout.
Wales 0-6 Argentina, 22 mins
That’s poor from Bertranou. The Argentine scrum-half sets up the caterpillar for the box-kick but knocks the ball on against his own player’s leg when trying to remove it from the ruck.
A chance for Wales from a scrum in Pumas territory
Wales 0-6 Argentina, 20 mins
Powerful carry by Matera makes good yards before Wales strip the ball at the breakdown. Good work from the hosts.
A kicking duel ensues and Wales win it when Tomos Williams finds a good touch midway in the Argentina half. A 60-odd metre gain at the end of that territory battle
Wales 0-6 Argentina, 19 mins
Dyer tries to get too clever and sees his attempted offload from the floor to Rees-Zammit intercepted. North is pinged for a high tackle on Boffelli.
Wales have given away 6 penalties to Argentina’s none, which is telling. It’ll be another attacking platform for the Pumas inside the Wales 22 from the lineout.
Wales 0-6 Argentina, 16 mins
Dyer spills a high ball but Mateo Carreras is pinged for illegally contesting. Can Wales build something here? They had a good start but it’s been all Argentina for the past 10 minutes
PEN! Wales 0-6 ARGENTINA, 13 mins (Boffelli)
Boffelli is possibly the best goal-kicker in the world but this one won’t test him. Right in front and does what’s needed to make it 6-0.
Wales 0-3 Argentina,12 mins
Lineout well defended initially by Wales but they give away another penalty for offside. The ref Ben O’Keefe talks to Wales skipper Justin Tipuric and says the next pen in the 22 will be a yellow card.
With that in mind, the Pumas consider playing from the penalty but will take the points instead.
Wales 0-3 Argentina, 10 mins
Argentina on the attack again and a neat set-play from the lineout brings them into the 22. You might remember it was a first-phase strike play from a lineout that led to one of their tries against England last week.
More ill-discipline from Wales as they’re caught offside in the channel. Eminently kickable but Carreras goes to the corner... The lineout has worked well so far for the Pumas.
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