Stay up to date with notifications from The Independent

Notifications can be managed in browser preferences.

Liveupdated

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

Luke Baker
Saturday 12 November 2022 17:29 EST
Comments
France win Women's Rugby World Cup bronze medal with 36-0 defeat of Canada

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:

TRY! ENGLAND 31-6 Japan (Ellis Genge try, 48 minutes)

Over powers Ellis Genge!

Another well-taken English score. Owen Farrell comes very close to slithering free of a tackler as he runs a hard line, and the centre wisely chooses not to chance a risky offload to Guy Porter, enabling England to keep the ball alive. Freddie Steward is felled as he tries to explore the outside arc that proved profitable for his opening score, but England’s forward reload and assemble themselves centrally.

Genge sits down a defender and provides a forthright finish. Farrell converts.

Harry Latham-Coyle12 November 2022 16:23

England 24-6 Japan, 46 minutes

And now Freddie Steward strides on up the left after good ball movement from those inside him.

England’s ruck ball is sharp. Jack van Poortvliet throws in a misdirecting dummy and then pops to Marcus Smith, with Kyle Sinckler bundling up in midfield.

Groans as England kick the ball away on the right; cheers as a jackal is rewarded with a holding on penalty. Into the corner.

Harry Latham-Coyle12 November 2022 16:22

England 24-6 Japan, 45 minutes

A fine defensive set from England, staying connected as Japan play out the back and eventually forcing a slightly aimless kick from Seung-sin Lee.

Harry Latham-Coyle12 November 2022 16:20

Missed penalty! England 24-6 Japan, 43 minutes

Starts right, stays right - Lee is off the mark.

Jonny May has served his spell in the sin bin. Back he comes with England up to 15 again.

Harry Latham-Coyle12 November 2022 16:19

England 24-6 Japan, 42 minutes

Plenty has gone right for Engand so far but the lineout remains a little clunky. Luke Cowan-Dickie’s throw to the tail fails to hit the mark.

Jonny Hill then makes a high tackle, his bicep around the neck. New man Seung-sin Lee will kick at goal from the ten-metre line, 15 in on the left.

Harry Latham-Coyle12 November 2022 16:18

England 24-6 Japan, 41 minutes

England, remember, remain down to 14 players with Jonny May still in the sin bin. Marcus Smith pins Japan back with a punt down the channel between Ryohei Yamanaka and his wing. The full-back clears with his powerful left boot.

Harry Latham-Coyle12 November 2022 16:16

H/T: England 24-6 Japan

Japan are out very, very early for the second half, all ready to go with England’s replacemetns still going about their half-time drills. The Brave Blossoms have been some way short of their best so far - can they improve after the break?

Michael Leitch gathers a group of his teammates for a chat, with the towering Warner Dearns gesturing firmly. Seungsin Lee is on for the visitors, replacing Takuya Yamasawa and will kick things off after England finally re-emerge.

Harry Latham-Coyle12 November 2022 16:15

H/T: England 24-6 Japan

Rather more like it from England, who have played with a purpose they seemed to lack against Argentina. Japan have shown glimpses of invention and cut with ball in hand, but the hosts have largely been in control, with Freddie Steward outstanding so far from full-back.

Harry Latham-Coyle12 November 2022 16:04

HALF TIME! ENGLAND 24-6 JAPAN

(Getty Images)
Harry Latham-Coyle12 November 2022 16:01

TRY! ENGLAND 24-6 Japan (Guy Porter try, 41 minutes)

A try for Guy Porter on his home England debut!

England kick in behind Japan and hurry through in muscular fashion, winning the ball back at a ruck. There’s great open expanses of pasture on the left, and the hosts are alive to it, the ball flung wide to Sam Simmonds.

Simmonds threatens to make a meal of what looks like a simple enough two-on-one, but manages to wriggle free of the initial tackle to send Porter in.

Owen Farrell’s conversion caps a much, much better first half from England.

Harry Latham-Coyle12 November 2022 15:58

Join our commenting forum

Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies

Comments

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in