Heroic, the French XV takes on South Africa, double reigning world champion for the first time since 2022

A victory to ward off fate, make an impression, and display ambitions. The French XV won their fifth match of the Nations Championship against the formidable South African Springboks (21-19), Friday November 13 at the Stade de France. Decimated by injuries, without certain executives (Romain Ntamack, Julien Marchand last minute withdrawal, etc.) and with a certain dose of DIY, the French collective was able to be enterprising offensively and solid defensively to get the best of the reigning double world champions.

Thanks to an inspired Antoine Dupont then imperial defensively, and an effective rear triangle in the in-goal (three tries from Aaron Grandidier-Nkanang, Théo Attissogbe and Louis Bielle-Biarrey), the Blues secured a fourth victory in a row in this new competition which came to replace the summer and autumn tours. Enough to consolidate their first place in the northern hemisphere group with 21 points, temporarily six ahead of England and Ireland. They will play for this first place on the last day of the groups, Saturday November 21 against Argentina, still at the Stade de France (9:10 p.m.).