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:
WATCH: Williams gets charge-down score
Here’s how Tomos Williams got his try out of nothing:
Wales 17-6 Argentina, 58 mins
Carreras has a go down the blind side as Argentina move within five metres of the line. But it’s DROPPED! Wales hold firm again as Matera slips and spills the ball.
SIN BIN! WALES 17-6 Argentina, (Rowlands, 56 mins)
Not what Wales needed. Another penalty given away and Will Rowlands is sin-binned. He was clearly on the floor but reaches out and slaps the ball out of Betranou’s hands.
Needless and it means his team will be down to 14 for the next 10 minutes.
Wales 17-6 Argentina, 55 mins
Matera has a go at getting to the line before Gonzalez drives but he’s held up over the line. Great defence by Wales and we’ll have a water break.
A couple more changes as Rhys Preistland on for Anscombe, while Facundo Isa on for the Pumas.
Wales 17-6 Argentina, 54 mins
Sloppy at the lineout by Wales though, not for the first time, as Owens overthrows his man and Matera seizes upon it.
Dillon Lewis pinged for going off his feet and the Pumas go to the corner again. Maul is well defended by Wales, so they spread the ball to the backs.
Wales 17-6 Argentina, 52 mins
Wales miss touch with the penalty but soon win another at the breakdown - great stuff by Justin Tipuric leading the charge.
Change for Wales as Tompkins heads off, with Owen Watkin coming on.
Wales 17-6 Argentina, 51 mins
Eduardo Bello is also on, so it’s an all-new front row for the Pumas.
They kick the penalty to the corner, set up the maul and get within a couple of metres from the line but great breakdown work by Adam Beard who jackals to win the penalty. Top stuff from the lock.
Wales 17-6 Argentina, 49 mins
Ignacio Ruiz and Nahuel Tetaz Chaparro on in the front row for Argentina. They’re straight into a scrum and the Pumas win a penalty from it.
TRY! WALES 17-6 Argentina, (Williams, 46 mins)
Out of nowhere, Wales have another try!
A bit of nothing kick from Williams is easily gathered by Mallia but he dithers and that allows the scrum half to charge down his return kick. It careers towards the try line, Williams chases and dots down for the score. A bit of luck perhaps but Wales will take it.
Anscombe adds the extras and Wales have a healthy lead
Wales 10-6 Argentina, 45 mins
Heavy carry by Rowlands and Wales then run a few more phases to steadily gain ground. Wales preferring to go down the blindside but Thomas shows his props hands as he knocks on to end the attack.
Worth saying, Rees-Zammit is looking solid at 15 so far.
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