South Africa sealed their “ruthless” dominance over France, winning their ninth meeting in the last ten with a stunning 32-17 comeback. The 14-man Springboks “overwhelmed” Les Bleus with “sheer physicality and composure,” overcoming a red card and a 14-6 deficit to silence the Stade de France and extend their psychological hold over their rivals.
France, desperate to break the streak and avenge their World Cup loss, started “irresistibly.” Damian Penaud became his country’s all-time leading try-scorer with two early tries. With Lood de Jager sent off, France was in “full control.”
But the Springboks showed their champion resilience. They absorbed the pressure and then pounced as French discipline “disintegrated.” A “succession of reckless infringements” and a “costly yellow card” to Louis Bielle-Biarrey handed the initiative to the Boks.
The visitors were clinical. André Esterhuizen (maul) and Grant Williams (darting run) scored tries, while Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu kicked flawlessly and added a try of his own. The Boks “punished every mistake” from the “rattled” French side.
The “remarkable comeback” was a powerful statement. Rassie Erasmus praised his “wiser, calmer” team, while Fabien Galthié was left to mourn “missed opportunities” as his team’s losing streak hit four.