France “cracked under pressure” in a disastrous second half, allowing a 14-man South Africa to storm back for a 32-17 victory. Les Bleus held all the advantages—a home crowd, a 14-6 lead, and a man advantage after Lood de Jager’s red card—but their discipline “disintegrated” in a “bruising” encounter, handing the “remarkable comeback” to the “wiser” Springboks.
The day began with French “irresistible” flair. Damian Penaud scored twice, breaking the national try-scoring record and sending the crowd into a frenzy. It seemed France would finally get their revenge for the World Cup.
However, the second half was a story of French collapse. As coach Fabien Galthié noted, his team missed “three clear chances” and then “conceded a series of penalties.” This indiscipline, including a “costly yellow card” for Louis Bielle-Biarrey, gave the Boks the initiative.
The Springboks were “ruthless.” They “punished every mistake,” with André Esterhuizen and Grant Williams scoring tries in quick succession to turn the game. The French team was “rattled,” and their defence “splintered.”
Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu, who kicked perfectly, added a late try to seal the win. The loss, France’s fourth straight, was a harsh lesson in composure from Rassie Erasmus’s “calmer” world champions.