Rugby Union: Springboks hang on

France 12 South Africa 13

Rex Gowar
Monday 09 December 1996 00:02 GMT
Comments

Your support helps us to tell the story

From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.

At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.

The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.

Your support makes all the difference.

South Africa, spurred by a first-half try from James Dalton, clinched the two-match series against France on Saturday.

The Springboks, who have played a record four successive Tests without team changes, won the first clash 22-12 last weekend.

Henry Honiball converted Dalton's try and put over two penalties to complete the scoring for the Springboks, who have now won four of their five tests on tour. They beat also Argentina 2-0 and complete their schedule against Wales in Cardiff next week.

The only scorer for France was Richard Dourthe who kicked four penalties, three in the second half, as the home side edged tantalisingly closer to the world champions.

After Dourthe and Honiball had exchanged penalties in the opening 10 minutes, South Africa scored through Dalton after 26 minutes. A concerted attack swung from the right across the field, where Joost van der Westhuizen fed the ball out quickly, leaving the defence outnumbered.

Mark Andrews chose to bypass the centres and flung a long high pass out to his winger Jacques Olivier, who with two defenders both going for him fed the ball inside to the unmarked Dalton who ran in for the try.

The Springboks were, for most of the game, in control, forcing France into numerous mistakes, both in their handling and kicking during open play.

"We played two Tests against France without conceding a try, that's good for the team. It shows its character." Andre Markgraaf, the South African coach, said.

Abdelatif Benazzi, the French captain, said: "Again we dropped several balls and this was fatal."

France: Penalties Dourthe 4. South Africa: Try Dalton; Conversion Honiball; Penalties Honiball 2.

FRANCE: J-L Sadourny; L Leflamand, R Dourthe, S Glas, D Venditti; C Lamaison, G Accoceberry; C Califano, M Dal Maso, F Tournaire (J-J Crenca, 73), O Merle, F Pelous, P Benetton (M Lievremont, 66), R Castel, A Benazzi (capt).

SOUTH AFRICA: A Joubert; J Small, J Mulder, H Le Roux, J Olivier; H Honiball, J Van der Westhuizen; D Theron, J Dalton, A Garvey, K Wiese, M Andrews, R Kruger, A Venter, G Teichmann (capt).

Referee: D G Bevan (Wales).

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