France 21-19 South Africa: Les Bleus beat the world champions in Nations Championship
France defeated South Africa 21-19 in a Nations Championship match, ending a five-match losing streak against the world champions. The win puts France in a strong position to reach the tournament final.
Why it matters
The victory significantly impacts the standings for the Nations Championship, affecting the qualification hopes of England and Ireland.
Figure caption, Highlights: France narrowly beat South Africa in thriller in Paris
Tries: Grandidier-Nkanang, Attissogbe, Bielle-Biarrey Cons: Lucu (3)
Tries: Wessels, Reinach, Marx Cons: Feinberg-Mngomezulu (2)
France held on to end their five-match losing run against South Africa at Stade de France with an enthralling 21-19 victory in Paris.
The victory dents the world champions' hopes of reaching the Nations Championship final and puts Les Bleus in a strong position to top the northern hemisphere standings.
The hosts, inspired by their captain Antoine Dupont, showed their class and skill to score three tries in a frantic first half.
France's back three of Aaron Grandidier-Nkanang, Theo Attissogbe and Louis Bielle-Biarrey all crossed in a thrilling opening 40 minutes, with Jan-Hendrik Wessels scoring off the back of a maul for the visitors.
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12 other newsrooms covered this event. We read each version separately.
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