France defeated South Africa 21-19 on Friday night at the Stade de France in a match that the French press praised for resilience and defensive grit.
Facing the back-to-back world champions, Fabien Galthié’s squad absorbed intense pressure in the second half without conceding a point, holding onto a two-point margin until the final whistle.
“Despite a strong comeback by the Springboks in the second act, Antoine Dupont’s teammates resisted and earned a prestigious success against the two-time defending world champions,” Rugbyrama reported.
“It didn’t fall into the trap of a frontal rugby that would have been fatal to it, to end heroic,” L’Equipe described of the performance, noting the contrast between first-half attacking flair and second-half resistance.
The closing stages saw the hosts defend a two-point lead while the crowd sang La Marseillaise.
“Two small points to defend like starving men, pushed by a Stade de France chanting La Marseillaise to give them heart for the work,” Le Figaro said.
The decisive defensive act arrived in stoppage time when Louis Bielle-Biarrey delivered a try-saving tackle.
“And it was a final disintegrating tackle by Louis Bielle-Biarrey in stoppage time that offered a prestigious victory to the XV de France,” Le Figaro reported.
Captain Antoine Dupont orchestrated the tactical approach, contributing with both his hands and kicking game.
“It was a great evening for the XV de France, which used the ammunition at its disposal to perfection,” Le Parisien reported of the scrum-half’s display.
“With, once again, an immense Dupont. With hand or foot, the Toulousain offered caviars to his teammates, and above all, he reacted with a dexterity we no longer knew him to have at every recovered ball,” Le Parisien added.
The victory places France at the top of their group ahead of the final phase of the Nations Championship.
“Less than a year from the World Cup, this victory at forceps, acquired at the price of incredible courage, is worth all the gold in the world and reminds us that this French team, even battered, possesses sufficient squad depth to bring down the best,” Rugbyrama said.
“In the meantime, no one will be able to sulk their pleasure at having witnessed one of the most beautiful performances of the Galthié era,” Ouest-France concluded.
