Reinvigorated Springboks give France the blues
South Africa secured a series victory over France thanks to a 37-15 success that was impressive for its attacking verve and defensive solidity in equal measure.
The Springboks, who endured a torrid 2016, took a 1-0 lead in the three-match series with last week’s 37-14 win in Pretoria – a result that drew fierce criticism from Les Bleus coach Guy Noves.
France were boosted by the return of players who featured in the Top 14 final and did show improvement at Kings Park on Saturday, but ultimately were beaten by the Springboks’ strong first-half showing.
After the visitors took an early lead through South Africa-born Scott Spedding, the Boks sparked into life and romped into the lead via scores from Jan Serfontein and the impressive Siya Kolisi – the flanker celebrating turning 26 on Friday by claiming his first Test try.
Having scored 23 unanswered points during that spree, South Africa survived almost relentless France pressure for the first 20 minutes of the second half, before Coenraad Oosthuizen and Elton Jantjies added late gloss in the final stages, either side of France’s Damian Penaud marking his debut with a try.
Congratulations to the Springboks, beating @FFRugby 37-15 in Durban to clinch @CastleLagerSA Incoming Series! Well played team! pic.twitter.com/HKS78RiKkk
— South African Rugby (@Springboks) June 17, 2017
Spedding was one of France’s number who featured in the Top 14 decider two weeks ago and he secured the first points in the third minute, just managing to stay in touch and get the ball down despite the valiant efforts of Eben Etzebeth in the left corner.
Jantjies reduced the deficit with a penalty, before there was concern for the Springboks as Teboho Mohoje was carried from the field after taking a blow to the head in attempting a tackle.
Following a lengthy delay, South Africa went in front for the first time as swift hands down the left freed Serfontein and the lead was swiftly extended as Kolisi pulled off a stunning pick-up off his laces to intercept Francois Trinh-Duc and go over.
What a way to celebrate your 26th birthday.
Siya Kolisi scores under the poles. #LoveRugby pic.twitter.com/jZ6fHkfw47— South African Rugby (@Springboks) June 17, 2017
Jantjies added two more penalties to make it 23-7 at the break before France began the second period as they had the first but after a period of sustained pressure Baptiste Serin threw a loose pass out wide and the Boks survived.
The hosts remained defiant in defence, scrum-half Ross Cronje denying Penaud in the left corner and France were forced to knock over a penalty through Trinh-Duc with 15 minutes to go.
But any slim hopes of a comeback were soon dashed as replacements Pieter-Steph du Toit and Oosthuizen combined for the latter to crash over, running right over Nans Ducuing in the process.
Penaud clinically finished a fine France move, stepping inside a couple of defenders but it was the Boks who had the final say as the irrepressible Kolisi broke clear and fed Jantjies for his first Test try to round off a resounding triumph.
Comments on RugbyPass
This team does not beat the ABs sadly
11 Go to commentsCompletely agree. More friday night games would be a hit. RFU to make sure every club has a floodlit pitch. Club opens again Saturday to welcome touch / tag. Minis and youths on Sunday
3 Go to comments1.97m and 105Kg? Proportionately, probably skinnier than me at 1.82 and 82kilos. He won’t survive against the big guys at that weight.
55 Go to commentsThe value he brought to the crusaders as an assistant was equal to what he got out of being there. He reflected not only on the team culture but also the credit he attributed to the rugby community. Such experience shouldn’t be overlooked.
3 Go to commentsGood luck Aussie
11 Go to commentssmith at 9 / mounga 10 / laumape 12 / fainganuku 14
54 Go to commentsBar the injuries, it’s pretty much their top team …
2 Go to commentsDon’t disagree with much of this but it appears you forgot Rodda and Beale, who started at the Force on the weekend.
11 Go to commentsExcept for the injured Zach Gallagher this would be Saders best forward pack for the season. Blackadder needs to stay at 7, for all of Christies tackling he is not dominant and offers very little else. McNicholfullback is maybe a good option, Fihaki not really upto it, there was a reason Burke played there last year. Maybe Havilli to 2nd five McLeod to wing. Need a strong winger on 1 side to compliment Reece
1 Go to commentsTo me TJ is clearly the best 9 in the competition right now but he's also a proven player off the bench, there's few playmaking players who can come off the bench as calm and settled as he is, Beauden can, TJ can and I doubt any of the scrumhalves in contention can, if they want to experiment with new 9s I want him on the bench ready to step in if they crumble under the pressure. The Boks put their best front row on the bench, I'd like to see us take a similar approach, the Hurricanes have been doing similar things with players like Kirifi.
54 Go to commentsROG has better chance to win a WC if he starts training and make himself eligible as a player. He won’t make the Ireland squad but I reckon he may get close with Namibia (needs to improve his Afrikaans) or Portugal. Both sides had 1000:1 odds to win the RWC in 2023 which is an improvement on ROG’s odds of winning a RWC as a coach. Unlike Top 14 teams, national teams can’t go shopping and buy the best players - you work with the available talent pool and turn them into world beaters.
3 Go to commentsthat backline nope that backline is terrible why would you have sevu Reece when he’s not even top 5 wingers in the comp why have Blackadder when there’s better players no Scott barret isn’t an automatic the guy is more of a liability than anything why have him there when you have samipeni who’s far far better
54 Go to commentsAh, good to find you Nick. Agree with everything about Cale. So much to like about his game
55 Go to commentsNot too bad. Questions at 6, lock and HB for me. The ABs will be a lot stronger once Jordan and Roigard return. Also, work needs to be made to secure Frizzell back for next season and maybe also Mo’unga; they’re just wasting time playing in japan
54 Go to commentsOn the title, i wonder for many of those people it is a case something like a belief in working smarter, not harder?
1 Go to commentsForget Sotutu. One of those whose top level is Super Rugby. Id take a punt on Wallace Sititi Finau ahead of Glass body Blackadder.
54 Go to commentsI’m a pensioner so I've been around a bit. My opinion of SBW is he is an elite athlete and a great New Zealander and roll model. He has been to the top and knows what he's talking about. To all the negative comments regarding SBW the typical New Zealand way, cut that tall poppy down.
17 Go to commentsI'm not listening to a guy moralise over others when this is the guy who walked out mid season on Canterbury RLFC when he had a contract with them, what a hypocrite. All the Kiwis sticking up for this unprincipled individual because they can't accept justified criticism, he has zero credibility or integrity. Those praising him are a joke.
17 Go to commentsI’d put Finau at 6 instead of Blackadder but that’s the only change I’d make. Can’t wait to see who Razor picks.
54 Go to commentsTamati Williams, Codie Taylor, and Same Cane? Not sure about Hoskins Sotutu at test level. Wasn’t that impressive last season. Need a balance between experience and talent/youth.
54 Go to comments