France beat South Africa 21-19 in a tactically intriguing contest on Friday, with Fabien Galthie’s side overcoming the world champions after outfoxing Rassie Erasmus in a battle of coaching gambles.
South Africa’s wholesale front-row changes had little impact on France’s own ploy, with Antoine Dupont named at flyhalf before moving to his customary scrumhalf role during the match.
Dupont played a key role as the Six Nations champions secured their first victory over South Africa at the Stade de France since 2005. Aaron Grandidier-Nkanang, Theo Attissogbe and Louis Bielle-Biarrey scored France’s tries, while Maxime Lucu kicked six points.
Jan-Hendrik Wessels, Cobus Reinach and Malcolm Marx crossed for South Africa, with Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu converting the first two tries. Jasper Wiese was shown a 20-minute red card after his yellow card was upgraded by the bunker review system for a dangerous clear-out at a ruck.
The victory left France on top of the Northern Hemisphere standings on 21 points. South Africa, suffering their first defeat of the Nations Championship, remained top of the Southern Hemisphere table on 21 points but could come under pressure from New Zealand.
Not our night in Paris, congratulations with the win @FranceRugby, it was a massive contest – match report: https://t.co/TkFcFkRkk4
#Springboks #ForeverGreenForeverGold https://t.co/4TzptLxGOM— Springboks (@Springboks) November 13, 2026
France’s win underlined their credentials as contenders for the 2027 World Cup, exactly a year before the final, after they had lost nine of their previous 10 meetings with the Springboks.
That run included a one-point quarter-final defeat on home soil at the 2023 World Cup and a 32-17 loss last year, when South Africa had a player sent off before halftime.
France’s preparations were again disrupted by injuries, with hooker Julien Marchand hurt in the warm-up and replaced by Peato Mauvaka.
Flyhalf Romain Ntamack had dislocated his shoulder in last week’s win over Fiji and, with Matthieu Jalibert, Thomas Ramos and Antoine Hastoy also sidelined, Galthie handed Dupont his first international start at flyhalf and selected Lucu at scrumhalf.
The shirt numbers proved deceptive, however, as Dupont operated predominantly in his customary scrumhalf role and Lucu filled in at flyhalf, as he had after replacing Ntamack against Fiji.