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 16-13 South Africa, 45 mins
Good pressure from Woki means De Klerk rushes his box kick and it barely makes it out of the 22. Driving maul opportunity for France.
Woki claims it, the mail starts and Les Bleus win the penalty. They’ll go for the posts and try to get those three points backs. It’s quite wide on the left.
PEN! France 16-13 South Africa (Kolbe, 43 mins)
OOF! Kolbe runs straight through Jelonch. The winger has so much power in the way he runs. South Africa win a penalty, Faf points to the posts and Kolbe curls it between the sticks.
Great kicking from the Springbok flyer tonight and he brings his side within three points
KICK-OFF! France 16-10 South Africa, 41 mins
War wounds all over the place on the players. It’s been brutal so far. And the second half starts in a similar manner as Alldritt crashes into Ox Nche. Great tackles from the Springbok. Tone set!
WATCH: Kolisi sneaks over
South Africa hit back through skipper Siya Kolisi:
WATCH: Cyril Baille crashes over
Here was France’s first-half try, through Cyril Baille:
HALF-TIME! France 16-10 South Africa
A fascinating half. Pieter-Steph du Toit’s red card has put the Springboks behind the 8-ball and Cyril Baille went over for a try for France soon after.
Siya Kolisi hit back for the Boks but three Thomas Ramos penalties ensure Les Bleus lead.
PEN! France 16-10 South Africa (Ramos, 40 mins)
Fairly central, about five metres inside the South Africa half and Ramos lines it up. It’s on line and it has the distance as well. Les Bleus see their lead extended to six points.
France 13-10 South Africa, 39 mins
A great tackle by Arendse means Ramos loses ground but Mostert pinged for not rolling away and France will take a long-range shot at the posts as the last action of the half.
France 13-10 South Africa, 38 mins
De Allende trucks on for a few extra metres before South Africa put up another high ball. France staying strong underneath them so far.
BOSH! De Allende runs from deep and hits Fickou hard but the Frenchman helped by Macalou and they drag him into touch. Les Bleus secure the lineout and have a good platform in Boks territory.
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