South Africa scored two tries in the first eight minutes to set up a convincing 42-17 win over France in a one-off rugby union Test at Newlands on Saturday.
It was South Africa’s first win over France in four matches spanning five years.
Not even the loss of captain John Smit with a hamstring injury at half-time could stop the world champions clinching a comprehensive victory over the European champions.
After a blistering start, South Africa proved superior in all departments against a side who never hit top gear and struggled to adapt to the new breakdown laws.
France were rocked after just 90 seconds when Springbok eighthman Pierre Spies scored under the posts. Right wing Gio Aplon notched the second try and South Africa led 20-0 after 24 minutes as Morne Steyn added two penalties.
South Africa, also reigning Tri-Nations champions, made a perfect start when the French spun the ball to the right in the first attack of the game.
Springbok left wing Bryan Habana picked up a loose pass in his own half and made ground before passing to centre Jaque Fourie, who charged upfield and passed inside to Spies, who went over untouched.
The second try came after a drive from a line-out won by Spies. When the ball was released to the backs, Aplon cut in from the blindside wing, burst through an attempted tackle by French centre Maxime Mermoz and scored his first Test try.
There was almost a third try after 10 minutes when fullback Zane Kirchner collected a chip kick from scrum-half Ricky Januarie and sprinted for the line, only to be pulled down a metre short by French wing Vincent Clerc.
But the French were penalised for not releasing the tackled player and Steyn, who had converted both tries, notched a penalty.
It was the first time France had played under the new breakdown laws and the pre-match misgivings of captain Thierry Dusautoir were realised as his side conceded a string of penalties, either giving Steyn the chance to kick for goal or to set up line-outs dominated by Victor Matfield and Danie Rossouw.
France were forced to play catch-up rugby, spreading the ball wide when securing possession and it paid off when right wing Aurelien Rougerie scored in the corner on 29 minutes.
But just three minutes later prop Gurthro Steenkamp found himself near the left touchline and he collected a long pass from Steyn to score South Africa’s third try.
In their anxiety to reduce the deficit, France opted for tap penalties instead of kicks at goal and this tactic cost them a fourth try nine minutes after half-time when a passing move went wrong and Aplon picked up a loose ball inside his own 22 and ran 80 metres accompanied by a deafening roar from a 46,885 home-town crowd.
With a comfortable lead, South Africa brought on their full bench of replacements and with France also ringing the changes the game became loose towards the end, with both sides adding a converted try.
Flanker Francois Louw went over for the Boks with Ruan Pienaar converting and Marc Andreu dotted down at the other end with fellow replacement David Skrela adding the extra points.
Bokfan
Guest
"You would have to think that playing Wales will end up being better preparation than playing Italy" The Boks beat Wales (with their 2nd team) two weeks a go. WAKE UP MAN!!!
Mr Saunders
Roar Guru
Jeez... just back from holiday. What a cracking win for SA. I feel quite pleased that a one-dimensional France side has got the spanking it deserves. Well done SA!
mampara
Guest
Listen Doos...lekker name by the way.I was commenting on Geoff's comment, we are getting wires crossed here, hang back on the language though huh...this is getting shocking. I tell you okes what, I'll invite Geoff, Doos, Sam and Ohtani round to my place to watch that test at Eden Park...at least it won't be boring.
Doos
Guest
Hey mampara, I agree with u....too many wussies like Geoff out there who gets offended and all sensitive when the boys talk tough a bit! And he calls himself a saffer? I'm proud of Bakkies and the boys...of how we saffers don't stand back for NO-ONE! And off the pitch, well it's the same....so go take a hike Geoffie - maybe u should watch golf instead! Hey para, u go tough-guy !
coach ed
Guest
johno - send me some please, it must be good stuff for you to halucinate like that
mampara
Guest
I'm not your m8 china...stick to the rugby without your other rubbish. This is about rugby, try commenting on that rather than what you think you know about me. Your the tough guy who went personal.
Geoff
Guest
You are some piece of work mate, every comment from you is full of aggression and arrogance - last word on it from me anyway - take chill pill and learn what the saying "gracious in victory" means.
mampara
Guest
Jeez Geoff...sorry for having an opininon...I'm backing my team, for the reasons stated above, the rest is just banter. Just a suggestion, try not to let your skirt blow up to the extent where it turns low budget as in your last sentence. You are a pretty nasty little unit from the other end of your computer tough guy, but don't worry, you did'nt hurt my feelings.
Ben J
Guest
Ok, let's just take this down a notch. I think this was a pretty good weekend for the SH (apart from the Argies) so let's not get carried away about who's going to dominate who in the Tri Nations. It is pretty clear that all 3 have a good chance to knock each other over but New Zealand might just feel a tinge more pressure as they look to establish a hometown dominance before the World Cup.
Geoff
Guest
Jeez Mampara, nobody could possibly accuse you of being humble in victory. As a Saffer, I have to say, I cringe when I read your bloated, and somewhat arrogant attitude, guess I now know why every other Rugby playing nation on earth loves to hate us - it's not the players they hate it's the fans like you.
Tutu
Guest
Seems I was right in my prediction on the 11th too Temba in relation to this game see below. However for some reason people still seem to think France are a good side. Tutu said | June 11th 2010 @ 10:49am (3 days ago) | Report comment I find it somewhat intriguing that everyone is building France up to be absolutely great, yes they did beat the ABs at home by a few points last year, but did the ABs not absolutely massacre them in Marseilles? The Fact that all the other NH teams are being written off well before Kick off, France are being touted as the next best thing. It is amusing considering that their campaign in the 6N, Irish match aside was hardly world beating. They scrapped past England and Wales and had a far from Impressive win over Scotland. My money is on the Boks to give them an absolute schooling
mampara
Guest
@ ohtani and Sam...thanks for the cheap shots...like I said...looking forward to the tri nations where we get to do it all over again and tell eachother how gr8 we are and why we're so much better than eachother...Boks by 10
Jerry
Guest
And the award for missing the point goes to.....
coach ed
Guest
And the AB's to SA. Last three times to be sure...
coach ed
Guest
Jaded and tired...Who? The SH teams have just come off a Super 14 which is tougher than any NH test series. Most of the Springboks have played for 16 weeks in a row. The AB's and Aussies 14 to 15 weeks in a row, with no easy games. And you say the French were tired! Give us a break, pleeeazzzee. The French were stuffed, the English played their usual game of winning a few scrums but not the game, and the Irish with 16 men would have been hammered. The styles of play of the NH teams is just not fast enough to secure wins down south. End of discussion.
Jerry
Guest
You really can't take much from the tries Ireland scored other than that they didn't completely capitulate. Any team will struggle to stay motivated when they're assured of a win before half time and the entire bench has been emptied. I'm not worried about the AB defence, it's generally a strong suit of theirs. From memory, the last time they gave up a 4 try bonus point in the TN was 2008 and the time before that 2004. And of course, they've not conceded a try in a NH test since the World Cup.
ohtani's jacket
Guest
Well, it's stupid to take a dig at the All Blacks when you consider South Africa's recent performances against Ireland.
Sam Taulelei
Roar Guru
Mampara and how much better now is it for SA and NZ fans that the Boks are strong and competitive again? Because after rejoining international rugby there was a prolonged period when you guys couldn't even buy a win against the All Blacks. I agree can't wait for the TN opener at Eden Park in three weeks.
Tembavj
Guest
To right tutu I was amazed how the blacks got going from the get go! Clearly I put to much on s14 form. As my papy always said never doubt the all blacks. The Aussies had the tougher of matches IMO but still did well. With all the talk of depth their scrum got battered. It's hard to tell from the bok game as they made the French look amature from the start. All excuses aside the northern hemp is light years behind the south and I expect a spiro special on that tomorrow! On the side how good was the babaa vs moari game, loved it.
mampara
Guest
ohtani...did'nt we beat the ABs the last time we played...look this is all rubbish...who cares who we play in the next 2 weeks, see you in 3 weeks in NZ, we'll sort it out then, I am just suggesting we have a pretty damn good forward pack, better than what NZ and Oz have right now, both looking really skinny in the 4 and 5 dept. You will obviously disagree and go on about your much vaunted backlines as the ozzys always do... each of us thinks we are the best for what ever reasons...taking little snipes here and there...and I'll leave you with one...LOOK INSIDE THE TROPHY CABINET...bring on Eden Park, sorry we don't crap ourselves when we face the ABs like an ozzy does...Oz gives far to much respect to the ABs...we don't hate kiwis. I got lots of Kiwis I know and their gr8, but for those 80 mins. we just don't care