Despite being reduced to 14 players, the Springboks pulled off a remarkable win over France in Paris.
Lock Lood de Jager was shown a straight red card by referee Angus Gardner just before halftime for a clumsy shoulder to the head of Thomas Ramos. However, the undermanned world champions kept the home side to just a penalty goal from then on.
The match was billed as a rematch of the epic World Cup quarterfinal two years ago that saw the Springboks break French hearts, and it also marked talismanic captain Siya Kolisi’s 100th Test match.
France started perfectly with a try to Damian Penaud after only four minutes. Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu replied with two penalties before Penaud scored his second to give France a 14–6 lead.
France appeared in control before Cobus Reinach scored a brilliant individual try to pull the Springboks back within three points.
De Jager was sent off just before halftime, and Ramos extended France’s lead early in the second half.
After that, it was all one-way traffic as the Springboks silenced the Stade de France crowd with tries to Andre Esterhuizen, Grant Williams, and a stunning individual effort from Feinberg-Mngomezulu to seal a dominant 32–17 victory.
It’s a big statement from Kolisi and Rassie Erasmus’s side, who have already won the Rugby Championship this season and now added another top-tier scalp by beating the Six Nations champions at home.
South Africa will face Italy next weekend, while France take on Fiji.
In other results this morning, Ireland thrashed Japan 41-10, the All Blacks beat Scotland 25-17, and England thumped Fiji 38-18.
[Source: RNZ]
