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 13-10 South Africa, 35 mins
South Africa with the platform on halfway and De Klerk bangs a box kick into the high Marseille sky. Well-taken by Macalou though.
France 13-10 South Africa, 34 mins
It’s becoming a war of attrition in Marseille. France lose two more players as Romain Taofifenua replaces Thibaud Flament in the second row and try-scorer Cyrill Baille hobbles off with Reda Wardi on.
Kwagga Smith drops the kick-off, not the first time South Africa have done that and it gives France good position. Dupont squirts through a gap but eventually Les Bleus knock on and the Boks have a scrum in their own 22. They get a penalty and will be able to flip field position.
TRY! France 13-10 South Africa (Kolisi, 30 mins)
Sipili Falatea on for Uini Atonio in the front row for France.
First job is to defend a lineout and South Africa get the maul rolling. It collapses and amidst the carnage, Siya Kolisi sneaks out the back and slides over for the try! A big moment for the visitors.
Kolbe adds the conversion from in front of the posts and it’s a three-point game!
France 13-3 South Africa, 28 mins
The Springboks cough up possession in their own territory but France can’t take advantage and the visitors win it back.
Into the France half now with some forward carries and Alldritt comes round too quickly, so is pinged for offside. De Klerk boots to touch in the France 22. South Africa starting to settle well.
PEN! France 13-3 SOUTH AFRICA (Kolbe, 25 mins)
South Africa win possession, run a couple of phases and then win the penalty. It’s relatively long range, from the left so Cheslin Kolbe steps up.
He curls it in with his right boot and it splits the uprights. Good kick and the Boks are on the board.
TRY! FRANCE 13-0 South Africa (Baille, 20 mins)
And there’s the try for France!
They run through the phases and when they’re within a couple of metres, Dupont throws a flat pass to Cyril Baille who spots the gap, slides through and barrels over, outstretching his right hand for the score. The body of a prop and hands of a centre.
Ramos adds the simple conversion and France are in control.
France 6-0 South Africa, 19 mins
La Marseillaise reverberating round the Stade Velodrome as the France fans sense their side are on top.
Great hands from France as they spread the ball left, Penaud makes some yards and it goes all the way out to Macalou. He’s into the 22 but tackled.
PEN! France 6-0 South Africa (Ramos, 17 mins)
Lovely kick by Ramos as he splits the posts and France double their lead
France 3-0 South Africa, 16 mins
Oh dear, South Africa lose the lineout and France can clear. Kolbe returns the kick and delivers a big hit to Ollivon but in the next phase, France win the ball back as Ollivon gets over the ball.
They go right and they have an overlap but Ramos spills the ball as he enters the 22. It comes back for a kickable penalty though.
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