South Africa’s 21-year unbeaten run at the Stade de France ended on Friday as the Springboks lost 21-19 to France in the Nations Championship. The narrow defeat also ended the Boks’ perfect start in the competition.
France built a 21-7 half-time lead through tries by Aaron Grandidier-Nkanang, Théo Attissogbe and Louis Bielle-Biarrey. South Africa stayed in the contest after the break, with Cobus Reinach and Malcolm Marx scoring to bring the visitors within two points late in the match.
The comeback was complicated by Jasper Wiese’s 20-minute red card, upgraded from a yellow after a review. South Africa had one final opportunity to take the lead, but Manie Libbok’s conversion attempt after Marx’s try drifted wide. France held on for their first victory over the Springboks at the Paris venue since 2005.
The result leaves South Africa needing a strong final-round performance against Ireland in Dublin on 21 November. The loss followed a test in which the Springboks had to recover from a difficult first half and play much of the second with 14 men.
Sources: South Africa Sport’s match report; IOL’s report on the result.
Image credit: David Winter/Gallo Images, via South Africa Sport.