SPRINGBOKS win in France

Tries from Dillyn Leyds and Jesse Kriel helped South Africa bounce back from last week’s record 3-38 drubbing by Ireland to beat France 18-17 in Paris on Saturday (18).

Despite fly-half Handre Pollard having an off day, and leaving 11 points out on the field, the Springboks earned a sixth straight win over the French, ending a run of five defeats in a row in November Tests stretching back to 2014.

Half backs Anthony Belleau and Baptiste Serin crossed the whitewash for the hosts but the latter also missed two penalties as France lost a fifth consecutive match, and were defeated by South Africa for the fourth time this year alone.

It continued France’s miserable run under Guy Noves, winning just seven of 20 matches under the veteran former Toulouse Coach.

Both sides came into this match short on confidence and shorter still on form having lost last weekend - France going down 18-38 to New Zealand.

And it was a bruising start for the hosts who within five minutes had lost lock Paul Gabrillagues to a head injury assessment while fellow forwards Louis Picamoles and Kevin Gourdon both needed strapping on an ankle.

South Africa capitalised almost immediately with strong running from flanker Siya Kolisi before wing Leyds sliced through a pair of weak tackles to stretch out an arm and dot down.

South Africa were making good yardage with almost every possession and their ball carriers regularly punched holes in a backpeddling French defence.