Halfback Ross Cronje scored a try on his debut as South Africa returned to form with a 37-14 victory over an understrength France in the first Test at Loftus Versfeld.
The Springboks started nervously but scored four tries as centres Jesse Kriel and Jan Serfontein also crossed over, to go with a penalty try.
France, who had made 10 changes from the side that played Wales in their final Six Nations match in March, were in the game until the final quarter as centre Henry Chavancy and replacement halfback Baptiste Serin crossed for the visitors.
There were green shoots of recovery for the Boks after their disastrous 2016 season in a game watched by just 29,313 fans, the second-lowest attendance for a test in Pretoria. Only a match against Samoa in 2002 drew fewer spectators.
Two penalties from five-eighth Elton Jantjies were all they had to show for early dominance of possession after some stout French defence and poor decision-making from the Boks.
The opening try came as fullback Andries Coetzee found a gap and sprinted clear, with the ball reaching Kriel to score.
If Coetzee was the architect of that try, he was at fault for the French reply four minutes later.
A rare break by wing Yoann Huget saw a chip ahead and as the ball landed in the Bok goal area Coetzee made no attempt to gather it. Huget could not collect either but the ball was knocked back to Chavancy to dot down.
France closed the gap to two points when Serin darted over from close range and at that stage it looked as though the momentum was with the visitors.
But minutes after the introduction from the bench of Frans Steyn for his first Test since 2012, the centre provided a perfect grubber kick for Courtnall Skosan to chase.
The wing could not reach it but was adjudged by the television match official to have been held back by France fullback Brice Dulin and a penalty try was awarded.
A well-worked routine from the lineout saw Cronje sprint clear to score shortly afterwards, and Serfontein scored a fourth try that made the game safe after he was set free by Coetzee.
Charging Rhino
Roar Guru
Good start by the Boks. But they need to do some serious work on their ability to apply pressure and rush defence. The Boks attack was good, passing the ball around, and with some better finishing they could've scored 50 points. The combinations and finishing will get better though. My biggest concern is the pressure and defence, and a player like Rhule learning how to do that. I love the way the Lions embraced the kick-chase and applied pressure to the receivers by having about 3 Lions players chase, wrap them up and stop any cross field pass (which spurs a counter attack). It was like Fourie du Preez in 09 plus some extra.
Harry Jones
Expert
There were a few new players (Cronje, Coetzee, Marx) who showed something; and some "veterans" (Etzebeth, Whiteley, Kolisi) who were their consistently excellent selves. I still wasn't convinced by Jantjies (except off the tee), Beast (let's give him a retirement party), Rhule (but I will keep my mind open; I just think Combrinck offers more), and Mohoje.
DavSA
Guest
Take Mostert out the Bok Lineout the rest don't look secure at all. I have totally lost interest in French Rugby over the years Cuw and if I needed any reminders why I just have to have another look see at them yesterday ..... So many quality foreign based players including many SA players in there leagues , one would think it would have elevated their game but appears to have had the opposite effect .
Cuw
Guest
they need Serin to play with Lopez , but i think he is injured. looked as if the right wing was non existent. Picamoles looks out of form - after the stint in England :) and the lineout was rubbish
Was a poor French team and the Springbok defence looked vulnerable. They will have to pick up their defensive organisation dramatically otherwise they will be found wanting out wide. It was poor French execution and decision making that saved our defence a number of times.
DavSA
Guest
Encouraging start but pointless reading too much into it . French don't look particular great . Sorry but saw too much evidence of Alistair Coetzee last season to get particularly excited .
Country boy
Guest
Not sure which French side fronted up for that game. An improvement by the Boks but lots of work to do. At least they did not kick all the possession away. 2nd test will be much tighter. Very slow game by both sides, AB's will have both for brekky.