South Africa displayed their reigning world champions' resilience, fighting back from a six-point deficit and the opening period dismissal of second-row Lood de Jager to overwhelm France 32-17 in a physical end-of-year Test on the weekend.
Down a man for the entire second half, the South African side absorbed initial onslaught before overwhelming Les Bleus through raw power and calmness, silencing a raucous crowd in Paris expecting revenge for their World Cup disappointment.
Two years after their painful 29-28 World Cup exit to the Springboks on their own turf, Les Bleus looked determined to set things right even without their injured captain Antoine Dupont. But the home side, now on a four-match winless run, cracked under pressure as their composure fell apart despite the visitors being losing a player on the eve of half-time.
Les Bleus' Early Dominance
The French coach's side looked unstoppable early on as wing Damian Penaud scored twice to become his nation's record try-getter with 40, overtaking Serge Blanco's longstanding record.
A series of ill-disciplined penalties and a costly sin-binning, however, gave control to the visitors who punished every error in clinical fashion.
South Africa responded with tries from Cobus Reinach, André Esterhuizen, Grant Williams and Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu, who also kicked two penalties and three extra points.
Game-Changing Moment
It had all started brightly for France. The No. 15 Thomas Ramos sent a expertly placed chip over the defence after the opening minutes which Penaud gathered to touch down. The winger added another soon after, sprinting into the corner to extend the advantage, and when De Jager was dismissed for a high hit on Ramos, Les Bleus seemed in complete command despite being only a single point ahead.
Then came the Springboks' spectacular comeback through a mixture of clinical attacking and iron discipline.
The France winger Louis Bielle-Biarrey was sent to the sin-bin for a deliberate knock-on, and the world champions seized the opportunity.
Esterhuizen barged through from a maul after the Springboks had chosen to go for the set piece after being given a infringement, before Williams darted through a splintered defensive line for another try as the momentum swung quickly.
Sealing the Win
With the French rattled and giving away a succession of penalties, Feinberg-Mngomezulu completed a remarkable recovery, rounding the defenders on the outside and sliding over the try-line before converting his own score.
The Springboks have now beaten Les Bleus in nine of their past 10 meetings. France next face the Flying Fijians in Bordeaux on Saturday while the Springboks head to Italy.
