Mbonambi score stuns the French

BONGI MBONAMBI struck late on as South Africa stunned their hosts in the Stade de France. Having lost by a point to England last week, Rassie Erasmus’s Springboks were on the right end of a close contest last night.

After an early exchange of kicks, South Africa led 9-6, Handre Pollard with three penalties against a Baptiste Serin penalty and Camille Lopez’s drop goal. The opening try came just before half time, Guilhem Guirado spotting a gap to go over, with Serin landing the conversion to make it 13-9 at the break.

Les Bleus further delighted the crowd soon after the restart as Mathieu Bastareaud bashed his way over and Serin’s conversion made it 20-9, but before the noise died down, S’bu Nkosi, at fault for the try, made amends at the other end and Pollard’s extras and two subsequent penalties put South Africa two ahead.

Yet Serin hit two penalties of his own and as the end neared it looked like France would hold on but Mbonambi had other ideas, Pollard’s conversion a mere exclamation point.