France show nerves of steel to edge South Africa in epic Test in Autumn Internationals 2022
10:15 PM
Report
France do just enough to edge titanic tussle against gutsy South Africa
It is rare that Tests live up to their pre-match hype, but this mammoth game in Marseille, with two red cards and two monumental teams, did just that.
France, the victors, defeated the world-champion Springboks for the first time since 2009, cementing their status as World Cup favourites, but the hosts could not have been made to work harder for it. Not until replacement tighthead Sipili Falatea wriggled over at the death did the result look anywhere near assured; a second match in two weeks pilfered by the French.
In defence of Fabien Galthié's side, however, their performance on Saturday night was so far improved from the clunkiness of Australia last week, delivering some of their most balanced rugby under Galthié. When their forwards bludgeon and their backs bop, not even a defence with the might of the Springboks' could have stopped them extending their record run of Test wins to 12. And, in hooker Julien Marchand, Les Bleus had the star of the show.
Although on the receiving end of a second consecutive loss, South Africa’s valiance was even more remarkable given their flanker, Pieter-Steph du Toit, was sent off for a sickening headbutt on Jonathan Danty in the 11th minute. Wayne Barnes, who overtook Nigel Owens as the man to have refereed the most Tests on Saturday night, will not have been presented with an easier decision in any of his previous 100.
And the decision to red-card French captain and talisman, Antoine Dupont, was just as routine. The scrum-half upended former Toulouse team-mate Cheslin Kolbe, sending the wing crashing to the turf head first. Thankfully for France, Dupont’s clumsiness came in the second half - and it was not terminal.
"We're four points behind France, the second best team in the world, and three behind Ireland who are the best," said Jacques Nienaber, South Africa head coach. "France are northern-hemisphere champions - and that's where we are. We'll work extremely hard as we have Ireland in our pool and there's a possibility of France in the quarter-finals.
"Twelve wins on the trot. There's not a team in world rugby that is on that streak. They should, with Ireland, be close to favourites. There's a lot of competition and no big gaps between the top 10 teams and if you get stuff wrong you can lose to any of them."
Games of this magnitude so often translate into nervous freneticism and Saturday night was no different. Buoyed by as cacophonous and vociferous a crowd as one might encounter - the pre-match rendition of La Marseillaise might have been picked up on Mars - both sides played at a pace which suggested they believed that the game might only last 10 minutes. When Faf de Klerk’s alacrity resulted in an offside penalty, however, Thomas Ramos gave France the lead off the tee.
While South Africa were severely hampered by the loss of Du Toit, France faced heavy disruption, too. Before Dupont's second-half departure, Danty never returned after his Head Injury Assessment - nor did Thibaud Flament - and both props, Cyril Baille and Uini Atonio, both departed in the first half, although the latter would later return. Sekou Macalou, the Stade Francais flanker, ended up playing 69 minutes of the match on the wing, continuing Galthié’s summer experiment, but under heightened pressure.
With Du Toit’s exit, however, Les Bleus seized their chance. Marchand won a holding-on penalty and Ramos extended the hosts’ lead, before a try of unbridled fluidity, combining the brutality of this French pack and the beauty of their backs. Damian Penaud, the hero against the Wallabies, wrapped around Romain Ntamack and put Macalou in a pocket of space. Once France were in behind, Fickou, Alldritt and Marchand all tried to hammer down the Bokke door, before Baille succeeded. With Ramos’ conversion, point-less South Africa looked shell-shocked and France were rocking.
It was fight or flight time for the Springboks - and they were never going to choose the latter. Kolbe, continuing with the goal-kicking duties after last week’s Dublin woes until Dupont's challenge forced his removal, crunched a long-range penalty before Siya Kolisi struck. South Africa’s maul was virtually their sole attacking weapon, and when their forwards splintered France on their own line, the captain snuck home unopposed. Ramos’ penalty on the stroke of half-time left the contest tantalisingly poised.
The @Springboks take the lead. Game on!
🇫🇷 19-23 🇿🇦#AutumnNationsSeries | #FRAvRSA pic.twitter.com/GU6YhyCyJy— Autumn Nations Series (@autumnnations) November 12, 2022
Both Kolbe and Ramos traded penalties before the former departed alongside Dupont, and with the French totem gone, the Springboks started to believe. After a barrage of mauls, Willie Le Roux’s mis-pass put Kurt-Lee Arendse in at the corner. De Klerk took over the kicking duties, nailing a touchline conversion and adding a long-range penalty to give South Africa daylight. Ramos made it a one-point game after a South African maul indiscretion before Macalou was harshly penalised, believing he had not been held by Arendse. Regardless, with De Klerk replaced, Damian Willemse gave the Springboks a four-point lead. When Deon Fourie was sin-binned for a cynical maul indiscretion, however, France had their platform. Falatea squirmed over, Ramos added three more from the scrum, and the most titanic of Test matches had the finish it deserved.
Match details
Scoring sequence: 3-0 Ramos pen, 6-0 Ramos pen, 11-0 Baille try, 13-0 Ramos con, 13-3 Kolbe pen, 13-8 Kolisi try, 13-10 Kolbe con, 16-10 Ramos pen, 16-13 Kolbe pen, 19-13 Ramos pen, 19-18 Arendse try, 19-20 De Klerk con, 19-23 De Klerk pen, 22-23 Ramos pen, 22-26 Willemse pen, 27-26 Falatea try, 30-26 Ramos pen. H-T: 16-10
France starting XV: T Ramos; D Penaud, G Fickou, J Danty (S Macalou 12), Y Moefana; R Ntamack (M Jalibert 71), A Dupont (c); C Baille (R Wardi 33), J Marchand (P Mauvaka 60), U Atonio (S Falatea 29, Atonio 41, Falatea 60), C Woki (B Chalureau 77), T Flament (R Taofifenua 32), A Jelonch, C Ollivon, G Alldritt (M Lucu 53). Red card: A Dupont 49
South Africa starting XV: W le Roux; C Kolbe (M Mapimpi 49), J Kriel (M Libbok 76), D de Allende, K-L Arendse; D Willemse, F de Klerk (C Reinach 61); O Nche (S Kitshoff 51), B Mbonambi (M Marx 29), F Malherbe (V Koch 51), E Etzebeth, F Mostert, S Kolisi (c) (M Orie 72), P-S du Toit, K Smith (D Fourie 59). Yellow card: D Fourie 72 Red card: P-S du Toit 11
Attendance: 67,394
Referee: W Barnes
As it happened
10:05 PM
Siya Kolisi speaks...
On the defeat and how it feels...
"It's tough - I thought the boys played well. We made a couple of mistakes but the French played really well."
On the red card....
"Things like that happen and we gave our all and [the result] could have gone either way."
On what the Boks learned from the defeat...
"Just to keep going and make plans as we go along, anything can happen."
10:00 PM
That win means...
...France have now beaten every team in the top 10 of the rankings in the past 12 months. Not hard to see why they're favourites for the World Cup next year.
09:57 PM
Gregory Alldritt speaks...
On the nerve-jangling win...
"We knew it was going to be difficult - the Boks are physical and proved that tonight. We got lots of injuries the Antoine [Dupont] red card [but] we got the win."
On Dupont's red card and how it affected the side...
"Our game plan is not based on one man it's based on the team - so we were able to keep going and play rugby."
On how they got over the winning line...
"I think both teams played a great match but we were motivated by the great crowd."
09:55 PM
The winning try
Listen to that roar...
The noise in Marseille after that @FranceRugby try 🤯
One. Point. Game.
🇫🇷 27-26 🇿🇦#AutumnNationsSeries | #FRAvRSA pic.twitter.com/4XEZKz8i5S— Autumn Nations Series (@autumnnations) November 12, 2022
09:51 PM
FULL TIME: France 30-26 South Africa
France manage to see out the rest of the 80 minutes and they have done it - their 12th win on the trot and what a win.
I said this twice last week - the Ireland win over the Boks and France win over Australia - and I'll say it again now: that was one hell of Test match. Brutal and brilliant in equal measure.
Having been a man down after 11 minutes the South Africans were excellent and you have to feel for them. France fans won't though and once again their side has proved they've got a backbone and belief that means they are hard to beat even when they are not at their best.
09:48 PM
79 mins: France 30-26 South Africa
South Africa win the restart and go wide..can they get the try they need to win this at the death?
No they cannot! France win back possession and they only have to see down the clock to win a titanic tussle...
09:47 PM
PENALTY FOR FRANCE!
France 30-26 South Africa
Yes they can!
Or more specifically, yes, Ramos can! After the missed conversion that took nerves of steel to slot that through the posts from near the halfway line.
09:45 PM
77 mins: France 27-26 South Africa
France have possession in the Boks' half - it's 14 vs 13. They have a scrum and it's a huge push and win a penalty! What a time to put in a big heave...
That is a huge moment, they are going for the points.
Can they make it?
09:42 PM
TRY FOR FRANCE!
France 27-26 South Africa
The French attack once again and are hitting the ball at pace and the noise is deafening. Macalou carries the ball and again South Africa are penalised and again the hosts kick for the corner.
Can they make this lineout count?
Yes, they can, no mistake this time and after three phases Sipili Falatea crashes over the line.
The pendulum swing back the way of France!
But Ramos misses the conversion and it's just a one-point game.
09:36 PM
69 min: France 22-26 South Africa
At just the wrong moment the France lineout goes awry and the Boks have the ball - oh no!
09:35 PM
68 mins: France 22-26 South Africa
France have a lineout in the Boks' 22. Woki gathers well and then Les Bleus create a driving maul - the tourists are struggling to cope, they pull the maul down and France have a penalty. This time they go for the jugular and kick for the corner.
The yellow card is shown to Deon Fourie and South Africa will be down to 13 men for most of the rest of this match.
09:32 PM
67 mins: France 22-26 South Africa
This is like two heavyweight boxers slugging it out at the moment - intense but electric stuff.
09:32 PM
PENALTY FOR SOUTH AFRICA!
France 22-26 South Africa
The Boks again opt for the points and this time it's Willemse as De Klerk is off. And the No 10 does well slotting home under great pressure - remember he had a bad kicking day against Ireland.
09:30 PM
61 mins: France 22-23 South Africa
This is another classic Test match - intense stuff.
The Boks are again in the France 22 and again they get the ball wide to Arendse who is tackled well with the try line five yards away.
France then break with Macalou, he gets near the halfway line but is stopped and is adjudged for not releasing - that seems a bit harsh and indeed the crowd let Wayne Barnes know they, too, don't agree with his decision. South Africa have a kickable penalty from 35 yards or so.
09:26 PM
Another lonely walk
This time for the home hero Dupont after his red card.
09:24 PM
How South Africa took the lead
The @Springboks take the lead. Game on!
🇫🇷 19-23 🇿🇦#AutumnNationsSeries | #FRAvRSA pic.twitter.com/GU6YhyCyJy— Autumn Nations Series (@autumnnations) November 12, 2022
09:24 PM
PENALTY FOR FRANCE!
France 22-23 South Africa
Ramos maintains his perfect record from the tee and it's back to a one-point game.
09:23 PM
59 mins: France 19-23 South Africa
France do well at the restart and they are now the ones asking questions of the South Africans. They are in the Boks 22 and the Boks are defending well putting in some big hits - as in HUGE - Les Bleus force the error and the hosts have a penalty. They decide to go for the points.
09:21 PM
PENALTY FOR SOUTH AFRICA!
France 19-23 South Africa
South Africa are dominating the breakdown and are well on top at the moment and they win another penalty. The visitors decide to try and extend their lead.
And De Klerk slots home with his trusty left boot and the Boks are turning this game on its head.
09:16 PM
TRY FOR SOUTH AFRICA!
France 19-20 South Africa
South Africa are deep in the France 22 but cannot get over the line - temper s are fraying out there and as the Boks have another linout they bring on the famous Bomb Squad perhaps sensing this is their moment.
From the set piece they create a driving maul before going one way and then the other - and this time they get over the whitewash thanks to Arendse in the right corner. Great decision to go to the blind side and fine finish from the winger.
De Klerk takes the conversion and does brilliantly from the touchline.
For the first time the Boks lead - what a Test match we have on our hands!
09:12 PM
RED CARD FOR DUPONT!
De Klerk makes a break down the middle and South Africa are swarming all over the French in their 22. They are taking the ball at pace and, once again, asking questions of the hosts. They put in the crossfield kick and Kolbe rises to collect which he does BUT Dupont challenges the wing and brings him down - that looks as though it might be another red card. A
And indeed after a TMO look it is...it's now 14 men apiece.
09:09 PM
PENALTY FOR FRANCE!
France 19-13 South Africa
From the restart France get good field position and force the error from South Africa. They decide very quickly to ignore the possibility of going for the corner and opt to take the points. Ramos again kicks well and the six-point lead is restored.
09:05 PM
PENALTY FOR SOUTH AFRICA!
France 16-13 South Africa
The tourists go for the points and Kolbe makes no mistake and it's a three-point game again.
09:04 PM
41 mins: France 16-10 South Africa
Kolbe makes a quick break and the little man sits his old Toulon team-mate Jelonch on his rear - that was great to watch. Then they go up in the air and win a penalty.
09:01 PM
40 mins: France 16-10 South Africa
They're back under way at the Stade Velodrome.
08:52 PM
Siya says see ya!
Here's the Boks' captain's try.
Siya says see ya 👋
Quality opportunism from the @Springboks skipper.
🇫🇷 13-10 🇿🇦#AutumnNationsSeries | #FRAvRSA pic.twitter.com/481W0Qo75m— Autumn Nations Series (@autumnnations) November 12, 2022
08:51 PM
HALF-TIME: France 16-10 South Africa
After just 11 minutes the Boks were down to 14 men, and soon after down 10-0. But anyone expecting Les Bleus to run away with it has been confounded by powerful display from the tourists. They have been the better side for periods of the first 40 minutes and the hosts will have to work for a win, even with the man advantage.
08:47 PM
PENALTY FOR FRANCE!
France 16-10 South Africa
Ramos is an increasingly dependable kicker and he slots the ball through the posts from 30 yards out and that's the last action of the half.
08:46 PM
39 mins: France 13-10 South Africa
he South Africa defence is quick and they put France under pressure after the ball is passed down the line from a lineout - we saw that last week in Dublin.
However, a Bok player, I think it's Mostert, is penalised for not rolling away and it's a penalty for the hosts. They decide, as you think they would, to go for the points.
08:43 PM
35 mins: France 13-10 South Africa
South Africa have a spring in their step at the moment - they certainly don't look as though they're playing with a man down.
De Klerk puts in a big up and under and Ntamack collects well in his own 22.
08:39 PM
How France scored the first try
France extend their early lead against South Africa 💪
A brilliant start for the hosts in the #AutumnNationsSeries 🇫🇷#FRAvRSA pic.twitter.com/5OG5bBuuwd— Amazon Prime Video Sport (@primevideosport) November 12, 2022
08:37 PM
TRY FOR SOUTH AFRICA!
France 13-10 South Africa
The Boks have good field position, they kick for touch and have a lineout five yards from the line as a result. From the set piece the tourists create a driving maul, the French are struggling to cope and just as they collapse the maul Siya Kolisi keeps a cool head to dart around the side and dive over the line - what a response from the Boks.
Kolbe adds the extras and 10 minutes after Du Toit's red card the tourists are just three points back.
08:31 PM
PENALTY FOR SOUTH AFRICA!
France 13-3 South Africa
They needed that if only to take the sting out of the game. And it's Kolbe, not Willemse, who takes it, and he takes it well from near the left touchline.
08:30 PM
20 mins: France 13-0 South Africa
A quick word on Danty's replacement - it's Macalou on the left wing so that means France are playing with nine forwards. Macalou is a flanker but a proper hybrid player to boot.
08:29 PM
TRY FOR FRANCE!
France 13-0 South Africa
It's all France now and they are continually asking questions of the visitors. After eight phases Baille stretches out a long arm under the posts to score the game's first try. That came about after great hands and Penaud coming in off his wing to get France in the Boks 22 - lovely stuff.
Ramos adds the extras and already you think this is going to be a long night for the South Africans.
08:25 PM
PENALTY FOR FRANCE!
France 6-0 South Africa
Ramos does indeed redeem himself and double the hosts' lead.
08:24 PM
16 mins: France 3-0 South Africa
Great chance for France they're in the South Africa 22 and Ramos spills the ball when the tryline was at his mercy. That attack all started with another France steal at a Bok lineout.
The hosts, however, have a kickable penalty in front of the posts and Ramos can redeem himself.
08:21 PM
Bye bye Du Toit
The South African's lonely walk after being shown the red card.
08:19 PM
14 mins: France 3-0 South Africa
South Africa now have a mountain to climb, they have the ball in their half and spread it wide to Arendse. They ultimately come back for an earlier penalty and the tourists kick for touch.
08:17 PM
RED CARD FOR SOUTH AFRICA!
Before we learn what France do with the penalty we see a reply of the incident. Danty, who is vulnerable on the floor, is smacked in the head by Pieter-Steph du Toit. It looks deliberate and I cannot see how he stays on the pitch...and indeed the red card is shown and the big Bok is off.
There was no other decision Barnes could have come up with. 11 minutes gone and the Boks are down to 14.
Meanwhile, Danty is off for an HIA.
08:14 PM
12 mins: France 3-0 South Africa
South Africa have prolonged possession for the first time. They throw the ball around and try build through the phases. BUT they are going sideways and struggling to get past the gain line - good defence from France ends with a penalty
08:12 PM
10 mins: France 3-0 South Africa
France steal the ball at a South Africa lineout - that's another good early sign for the hosts.
08:10 PM
8 mins: France 3-0 South Africa
Annoyingly a Mexican Wave has broken out...I say this week in, week out, but isn't the entertainment on the pitch enough?! Rant over...
While the crowd throw their arms in the air the players on the turf engage in a scrum just inside the France half. It's a put in for the hosts and Ntamak kicks long.
08:07 PM
6 mins: France 3-0 South Africa
From a France scrum the hosts go down the blind side - two shot passes end with the ball in the hands of Penaud. The wonderful winger chips ahead and Le Roux deals with it very well and he needed to.
Promising start from the hosts.
08:05 PM
4 mins: France 3-0 South Africa
From the restart Alldritt makes a rare error knocking on. The South Africans charge through in the 22 but the advantage is gone by the time France turnover the ball and Dupont can use his boot to clear the danger.
08:03 PM
PENALTY FOR FRANCE!
France 3-0 South Africa
Ramos makes no mistake from in front of the posts - some 35 yards mind... - and the hosts have an early lead.
Before that De Klerk infringement the early hits were big...this is going to be a physical battle.
08:02 PM
2 mins: France 0-0 South Africa
The early exchange in the Dupont vs De Klerk battle goes the way of the Frenchman as the Boks No.9 is offside. France decide to go for the points.
08:01 PM
1 min: France 0-0 South Africa
They're under way at the Stade Velodrome - what a match we have in prospect.
The hosts are in their traditional blue and the tourists in their equally traditional green with yellow trim.
The referee is Wayne Barnes for his 101st Test.
07:58 PM
It's national anthem time
And what two beauties we have. You could easily argue that Nkosi Sikelel' iAfrika and La Marseillaise are the two most rousing in the world...
Both are sung with gusto and passion but, for obvious reasons, the French national song is somewhat louder than South Africa's.
07:54 PM
The teams are out on the Marseille turf
South Africa will bring a huge challenge to Dupont and Co.
The stadium is in darkness, lit up by fireworks.
07:51 PM
The home fans are well up for this
They are waving a multitude of tricolores and making some sound.
07:36 PM
Saying Willemse isn't third or fourth choice...
...is something Nienaber has to say BUT I am not buying it and doubt anyone else will either. He'll be under a lot of pressure to perform this evening.
07:34 PM
South Africa coach Jacques Nienaber speaks...
On picking Faf de Klerk...
"We felt we're playing side with a lot of experience and Faf's experience would be a good change."
On the challenge posed by France...
"They have changed a lot their record speaks for itself, they've won 11 in a row and won the Grand Slam. It's a tough challenge and will be a physical affair - we'll have to match that and we'll have to capitalise on the chances that come our way."
On Damian Willemse...
"I don't think he's a third or fourth choice - he's one or two but he's not our first-choice goal kicker. He'll get better at it."
07:26 PM
Here's a stat...
France have not beaten South Africa since 2009. Just to underline what a challenge the Boks pose this evening.
07:24 PM
France defence coach Shaun Edwards speaks...
On what the side has worked on after the Australia win...
"Focus has been on discipline. Last week was a huge game, breaking a record (11 wins in a row) that has lasted 90 odd years. But it was first game for seven months so there was a bit of rustiness"
On the side's mentality...
"It's getting into a habit of winning. A lot of the top games are only settled by three to four points and getting on the right side of the scoreline is a habit we want to continue."
On the challenge the Boks pose...
"They are a strong physical side, but they are more than that - but main part of their game is physicality."
On the unchanged XV...
"We've won 11 in a row so normally you don't change in those circumstances."
07:19 PM
Fabien Galthie has had the luxury of...
...naming an unchanged side from the XV that started in that one-point win over Australia. But the bench, which sees a six-two split, reveals that they are expected in bruising battle (aren't we all?).
For the Springboks Willie le Roux is recalled at full-back and Faf de Klerk at scrum-half. He also included uncapped fly-half Manie Libbok on the bench after struggling to find a consistent replacement at No 10 for the injured Handre Pollard. Although Damian Williemse struggled against Ireland he is retained at No 10. Cheslin Kolbe goes back to the right wing and Kurt-Lee Arendse shifts to the left wing. Prop Ox Nche and hooker Bongi Mbonambi both start while Mostert is at lock after an injury to Lood de Jager.
07:14 PM
Here are how the teams line up
FRANCE XV TO FACE SOUTH AFRICA: Thomas Ramos, Damian Penaud, Gael Fickou, Jonathan Danty, Yoram Moefana, Romain Ntamack, Antoine Dupont (captain); Gregory Alldritt, Charles Ollivon, Anthony Jelonch, Thibaud Flament, Cameron Woki, Uini Atonio, Julien Marchand, Cyril Baille.
Reserves: Peato Mauvaka, Reda Wardi, Sipili Falatea, Romain Taofifenua, Bastien Chalureau, Sekou Macalou, Maxime Lucu, Mathieu Jalibert.
SOUTH AFRICA XV TO FACE FRANCE: Willie le Roux, Cheslin Kolbe, Jesse Kriel, Damian de Allende, Kurt-Lee Arendse, Damian Willemse, Faf de Klerk; Jasper Wiese, Pieter-Steph du Toit, Siya Kolisi (captain), Franco Mostert, Eben Etzebeth, Frans Malherbe, Bongi Mbonambi, Ox Nche.
Reserves: Malcolm Marx, Steven Kitshoff, Vincent Koch, Marvin Orie, Kwagga Smith, Cobus Reinach, Manie Libbok, Makazole Mapimpi.
07:03 PM
More from our man at the Stade Velodrome
That's my friend and yours, Charles Richardson...
It is a balmy November night in Marseille, and there is a feverish expectation in the air. Around the town’s vieux port, smatterings of bleu and Springbok green intersperse the French, Maghrebian and Tunisian cafés.
The métro to the imposing Stade Vélodrome did nothing to placate a local public who are demanding that their team reach greatness tonight. Never have such crammed carriages been experienced by this Englishman, who typically forgot his shorts.
Arriving at the stadium, the atmosphere turns up to 11. The French, buoyed by the Saturday night buzz, banged their drums, drank their beer and sang their songs. The scrum, awaiting the opening of the gates, was a sight to behold; as was the rendition of the Marseillaise among the brasseries.
06:50 PM
What a venue
Fitting for tonight's clash.
The wonderful and raucous Stade Velodrome in Marseille.
06:48 PM
From Charles Richardson in Marseille
What a seismic contest in store in Marseille tonight.
The conditions - a balmy 22 degrees - could not be better; the stadium - the cacophonous Stade Vélodrome - could not, either; and nor could the 30 players who will take the field at 8pm. It is the reigning world champions, South Africa, up against the team that many - myself included - would herald as the best team in the world.
France have not beaten South Africa anywhere since 2009 and Fabien Galthié's side will be desperate to prove that they are bona fide World Cup favourites with victory tonight. The Springboks, meanwhile, will be desperate in equal measure; they will want to avoid back-to-back Test defeats after the loss in Dublin last weekend.
There are tantalising head-to-heads throughout tonight's line-ups. It would be sheer lunacy to not at least acknowledge the slobberknocker at scrum-half, where Antoine Dupont and Faf de Klerk will do battle. Up front, however, Grégory Alldritt and Kwagga Smith - in the absence of the hard-hitting Jasper Wiese - will have the most almighty of clashes from the back of the respective scrums. The Springbok, a pacy, rangy No 8, will have his hands full containing the brains and brawn of Alldritt. The winner tonight is impossible to call.
05:43 PM
Humdinger in store - world's best against world champions
There was a big sense that the northern hemisphere sides were a bit cold compared to the battle-hardened tourists - coming in off the Rugby Championship - last week. England's loss to Argentina being Exhibit A in that argument. But France's one-point win over Australia and Ireland's brutal three-point victory against South Africa both form very useful Exhibits B and C.
Les Bleus were expected to remind everyone why they're the favourites for next year's World Cup on home soil against the Wallabies, but for long periods were second best to the tourists. And Ireland were made to work extremely hard to see off the force-of-nature challenge of the Springboks.
The upshot is that if both sides play at the same level as they did last week then we can expect a South Africa win this evening. But France's close win over Australia may well have got rid of the rust in a side that hadn't played together since the Six Nations (the two-Test tour of Japan saw several big names rested) and provided great preparation for today's clash against the reigning world champions.
The Boks were brilliant against Ireland but their kicking game let them down. Damian Willemse, however, is given another chance to prove he can marshall the size from No 10 - his third start at fly-half - so expect the hosts to put him under pressure from the start.
Fabian Galthie has named an unchanged French XV, but South Africa wing Kurt-Lee Arendse is hopeful the Springboks’ exciting back-three can find ways to exploit France’s kicking game.
“We have been preparing well for France. We know they are going to kick a lot. We have been focusing on receiving plenty of kicks,” said Arendse. “Willie and Cheslin, with their experience, they have been helping me so much. We are prepared so we must just take it to France.”
The tourists are desperate for a goal kicker and if this - as some expect - is a close one success in front of the posts could well prove to be the difference.
Stay here for all the pre-match build up and action.
