Sports · Other Sports · 2 hrs ago
France beat South Africa 21-19 in Nations Championship thriller
France beat South Africa 21-19 at the Stade de France in Paris.
The close win gave France four victories in five Nations Championship matches.
South Africa, the world champions, threatened a late comeback after scoring a try with nine minutes left.
France held on as Antoine Dupont recovered the ball in the final moments, following a key tackle by Louis Bielle-Biarrey.
The result puts France in a strong position to top the northern hemisphere standings.
The match was part of the Nations Championship, and the result strengthens France's standing in the competition.
France beat South Africa 21-19 at the Stade de France in the Nations Championship.
France held on for victory after South Africa scored three tries and threatened a late comeback.
Antoine Dupont played a central role for France, wearing the No 10 shirt but operating at scrum-half.
Manie Libbok missed a kick that could have drawn South Africa level late in the match.
France’s win gave them four victories from five matches in the competition.
- Who
- France beat South Africa.
- What
- France won 21-19 in a Nations Championship match.
- When
- 13 November 2026.
- Where
- Stade de France, Paris.
- Why
- Not stated
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
South Africa changed its starting front row, moving Ox Nché, Malcolm Marx and Wilco Louw to the bench.
South Africa lock Lood de Jager was sent to the sin-bin for a high tackle.
France scored three tries to take a 21-0 lead, according to the Daily Mail.
Malcolm Marx scored for South Africa, and Manie Libbok missed a kick that could have tied the scores.
France secured a 21-19 victory.
- Final score
- France 21-19 South Africa
- Venue
- Stade de France, Paris
- France tries
- Aaron Grandidier-Nkanang, Théo Attissogbe, Louis Bielle-Biarrey
- South Africa tries
- Jan-Hendrik Wessels, Cobus Reinach, Malcolm Marx
- France record
- Four wins from five Nations Championship matches
- Referee
- Andrea Piardi (Italy)
9 sources
France edge past South Africa after thriller in Nations Championship
France - Afrique du Sud. « C’était incroyablement fort et puissant » : les Bleus à l’unisson après leur exploit
How Antoine Dupont emerged from the chaos to inspire France to epic win over South Africa
Antoine Dupont is still France's Captain Fantastic as skipper spearheads famous victory for Les Bleus over South Africa and mischief-making Rassie Erasmus
France cling on for furious victory against South Africa after Dupont sizzles
France put injuries behind them to stun Springboks
What people are saying
I’m not sure how you prepare a defence for a ball that bounces off a guy’s face.
comic-book stuff
Posts on X
😍😍 𝗜𝗡𝗖𝗥𝗢𝗬𝗔𝗕𝗟𝗘 ! Nos Bleus s'imposent ce soir face aux champions du monde, les Sud-Africains ! 🇫🇷 Félicitations les garçons !!!! #XVdeFrance
Late change to the #Springboks team: The front row of Jan-Hendrik Wessels, Gerhard Steenekamp, and Thomas du Toit will now start, with Malcolm Marx, Ox Nche, and Wilco Louw coming off the bench 🔁 #ForeverGreenForeverGold