France 21-19 South Africa: Les Bleus beat the world champions in Nations Championship

France strike early

France made a fast start, with a move involving Kalvin Gourgues opening space for Aaron Grandidier-Nkanang to score in the corner. Theo Attissogbe and Louis Bielle-Biarrey also crossed before half-time.

Antoine Dupont created Bielle-Biarrey’s try with a grubber kick. He filled in at fly-half because France’s three first-choice options—Matthieu Jalibert, Romain Ntamack and Antoine Hastoy—were injured, though he mostly played at scrum-half.

Red card changes the contest

Marx’s try gave South Africa a chance to draw level, but Manie Libbok missed the conversion. France held on for a 21-19 win.

Final race remains open

The result weakens South Africa’s hopes of reaching the Nations Championship final, which is due at the end of the month. France, meanwhile, are in a strong position to finish top of the Northern Hemisphere standings. The outcome also affects England and Ireland, who are competing directly with France for a place in the final.

Teams named

France started with Attissogbe, Grandidier-Nkanang, Gourgues, Moefana and Bielle-Biarrey in the back line, with Dupont and Lucu at half-back. The forwards included Gros, Marchand, Falatea, Verhaeghe, Guillard, Cros, Woki and Alldritt.

South Africa’s starting side included Willemse, Arendse, Kriel, De Allende and Hooker in the backs. Feinberg-Mngomezulu and van den Berg were the half-backs, while Wiese was named among the forwards.