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:
France 27-26 South Africa, 76 mins
Woki off for France and Bastien Chalureau is on for his debut. Erm... This is some time for your debut!
France 27-26 South Africa, 76 mins
Taofifenua catches the kick-off and France can kick clear. South Africa pinged for a forward pass as they run it back. A big error and France can milk time with this scrum
TRY! France 27-26 South Africa (Falatea, 74 mins)
Great move off the lineout. Moefana on the wraparound with Lucu and they take it within a couple of inches. And they’re over!
It’s replacement prop Sipili Falatea at the bottom of the pile. Wayne Barnes checks the grounding but loses comms with the TMO! More drama. The try is good though. Ramos misses the extras. could that be crucial?
France 22-26 South Africa, 73 mins
BANG! The physicality still here as winger/flanker/all-round weapon Macalou thunders down the left flank and delivers a hit. The noise rises as France are in the Boks 22.
Pinged again and it’s a France penalty, kicked to the corner.
France 22-26 South Africa, 72 mins
Not the time for the lineout to fail! France overthrow and South Africa jump on the loose ball. You would have fancied them to maul it over had they taken it. Boks kick clear to just outside the 22.
SA sub as Marvin Orie on for captian Siya Kolisi.
SIN-BIN! France 22-26 South Africa (Fourie, 70 mins)
WHAT A DRIVING MAUL! France march all the way within a couple of metres, Boks bring it down illegally. A freebie for France as they go for the cross-field kick but Arendse defends it against Penaud.
We come back for the penalty and Deon Fourie gets shown the yellow card. Next 10 minutes will be with 13 men for the Boks. France kick to the corner...
France 22-26 South Africa, 69 mins
A kicking duel at the moment as both sides try to make the all-important territorial gain. Springboks pinged at the breakdown after Ramos claims the ball in the air.
They kick the penalty into South African territory. Chance with a lineout in the 22 for Les Bleus
France 22-26 South Africa, 66 mins
Into the final 15 minutes and this game is up for grabs. An absolute belter in Marseille.
PEN! France 22-26 South Africa (Willemse, 64 mins)
South Africa have been mixing up their kickers today and fly-half Damian Willemse now gets the nod for his first one of the day with Kolbe off the pitch.
He nails the kick and the lead is back to four
France 22-23 South Africa, 63 mins
Lucu with not a great clearance kick gives the Boks good field position. Grinding through the phases as Etzebeth and co steadily make ground.
They then go wide to the right, Arendse is the man there and Lucu holds a foot before Macalou comes in to help get him into touch a couple of metres out. Good defence.
France then surge clear down the blindside with Macalou. He gets pinged for getting up and going again after being initially tackled. The crowd are livid when the replays show he wasn’t held, and Wayne Barnes has got that one wrong. Still, it’s a kickable penalty for the Boks.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments