--- title: "France Defeats South Africa at Stade de France" url: https://noti.group/france-defeats-south-africa-at-stade-de-france/ language: en publisher: "Noti Group" section: "Sports" published: 2026-11-13T22:35:06.000Z updated: 2026-11-14T08:47:34.600Z id: 2da2ad2e-7f8e-46f1-ba5e-c44164590fd1 source: "The Guardian Sport https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2026/nov/13/france-south-africa-nations-championship-match-report" attribution: "Link to https://noti.group/france-defeats-south-africa-at-stade-de-france/ and name Noti Group when you quote or summarize this story." --- # France Defeats South Africa at Stade de France The match was a rollercoaster ride of twists and turns with standout performances from top players and numerous penalty cards. The evening's festivities began with a grand display of fireworks and lights. A thrilling match unfolded at the Stade de France on Friday night, one that rivaled any spectacular production on stage or screen. The evening's festivities began with a grand display of fireworks and lights, including a massive drone show featuring a gigantic cockerel that morphed into a heart and eventually a French flag. But what followed was even more astonishing. The match itself was a rollercoaster ride of twists and turns, with standout performances from top players, numerous penalty cards, and moments of intense scrummaging and defense. Coaches and the referee made several contentious decisions, while a crucial missed conversion hung in the balance. In the end, France emerged victorious by two points. The turning point came after just 10 minutes when Lood de Jager was sent off for a high tackle on Maxime Lucu, leaving the Springboks temporarily shorthanded. With an extra man to play with, France seized the opportunity and began to make their presence felt in the South African defense. France's wing Aaron Grandidier-Nkanang proved instrumental in this phase of the game, receiving a clever crossfield kick from Antoine Dupont that put him in prime position for a try. However, his initial attempt was thwarted by Ethan Hooker, who managed to check his progress at the last second. But Grandidier-Nkanang was not one to be denied for long. Moments later, he found himself with possession of the ball once more and this time he successfully dove through the South African defense to score a try in the corner. The match had all the makings of an epic drama: high-stakes tension, pulsating energy, and moments of sheer brilliance from both teams. As the final whistle blew, France celebrated their hard-fought victory over the Springboks at their national stadium for the first time in 21 years. The momentum had shifted slightly in South Africa's favor after Dupont's initial burst of energy. However, France managed to regain control with a series of swift passes that ultimately fell short as they attempted to spread the ball wide against a solid Springbok defense. South Africa's forwards responded by launching their own maul, which eventually resulted in a try that narrowed the gap between the two teams. The restart was barely underway when Dupont once again took center stage, this time with a clever grubber kick that sent Louis Bielle-Biarrey careening through the South African ranks. Galthié's assertion earlier in the week that he and Erasmus were not engaging in mind games seemed to be nothing more than a smokescreen. The French team had hinted at Dupont playing fly-half, but in reality, he was operating from his usual position while Lucu took on the outside half responsibilities. Erasmus, meanwhile, pulled off a surprise of his own by making some last-minute adjustments to his lineup. He swapped out Ox Nché, Malcolm Marx, and Wilco Louw for replacements, leaving France's bench looking somewhat inexperienced as they prepared to face the Springboks' formidable front row. In a bold move, Erasmus deployed his replacement unit early in the game, sending them onto the field in the 35th minute. This move caught France off guard, but their bench was able to adapt and make an impact on the proceedings. The French pack struggled in the scrum, but their bench's timely intervention helped them weather the storm. The introduction of fresh legs seemed to galvanize the team, as they managed to limit South Africa's momentum. Lucu's yellow card for a high tackle was a worrying sign, but the French continued to press forward with renewed vigor. The tension mounted as the match reached its climax, with both teams trading blows in a frenetic display of rugby. The loss of Grandidier-Nkanang to a yellow card for slapping down a pass added to the French's woes, but they refused to buckle under pressure. Jasper Wiese's red card for an illegal clearout on Gourgues was a significant blow to South Africa's chances. South Africa had their moments, including a try that was surprisingly disallowed due to Kurt-Lee Arendse being ruled offside after slicing through the French defence in a long lineout. However, they managed to score another when Cobus Reinach bundled his way over following a rolling maul. The crowd held its collective breath as the French clung to their seven-point lead. The final minutes of the match were an agonizing series of scrums for France on their own try-line, with their replacement pack creaking under pressure. Montagne's second yellow card was a concern, but he managed to hold his ground alongside his teammates. Despite the odds against them, they continued to battle on. In the end, South Africa's attempts to level the scores fell short, thanks in part to Manie Libbok missing the crucial conversion after Marx finished off a rolling maul. The French emerged victorious, their resilience and determination proving too much for their opponents to overcome, securing a hard-fought win. --- Source: [The Guardian Sport](https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2026/nov/13/france-south-africa-nations-championship-match-report) Published by Noti Group: https://noti.group/france-defeats-south-africa-at-stade-de-france/