Springboks end French winning streak
MAGNIFIQUE . That sums up the performance of the Springboks, who shut out France in front of a raucous crowd here last night.
They were never truly dominant, but didn’t need to be against a disjointed French side who won just two of their 11 tests this year.
It was a workmanlike performance by the Boks, playing in the last test of an exhausting year, and if there were questions about their energy levels in late November, they quickly allayed them.
They had to box smart against a French side hoping to preserve a proud winning record against the Boks on French soil that stretched back to 1997. It would have been folly to try and make all the running and the Boks executed their kicking game with precision. It caused all kinds of consternation among the French back three.
Even more disheartening for the hosts was the Boks’ defence, which was as unremitting as it was in the second half against Scotland a week ago. In that department, Willem Alberts set himself apart.
At the back, Willie le Roux stood as tall as the Eiffel Tower, collecting anything in his vicinity with poise and precision.
Ruan Pienaar has his detractors, who point lethargy in his service, but his passing was as crisp as the Paris air here last night.
It only emboldened the Boks’ strategy of hoofing the ball down-field and, increasingly, their hope turned to expectation
The Boks could barely believe France’s generosity when JP Pietersen charged down an attempted clearance kick to score in the second minute.
It wasn’t the only time the French looked shaky at the back. It only emboldened the Boks’ strategy of hoofing the ball down-field and, increasingly, their hope turned to expectation.
Although France made most of the running in the first half, the Boks could have been further ahead had they capitalised on all the opportunities that came their way.
Le Roux, who grows in confidence with each passing week, broke left, slipped through a tackle and needed a precision pass to set Bryan Habana down the touchline for a potential try. It was a pass made under pressure and Habana received it high, and his first touch betrayed him.
For the second week running, captain Jean de Villiers put himself into a handy position for an intercept try. But, again, his initial contact with the ball was that of a blacksmith when that of a surgeon would have been more appropriate.
Things eventually settled in the scrum but, as the front-rankers hinged on each other, it swung like a rope bridge.
The Boks scrummed with greater confidence as the first half wore on and earned a penalty, which Morne Steyn converted.
By the start of the second half, the Bok scrum was in the ascendancy and a heel against the head in the 43rd minute served as a springboard to get Jaque Fourie over the tryline. But the touchdown was disallowed because of a midfield fumble.
Later Francois Louw was denied by the TMO. Another faux pas in the French back division opened the door for Louw to get his hand to the bouncing ball, but the ruling went against the Boks.