Three Springboks Starters Flop - Bench Power Destroys France

In a highly anticipated clash—the first meeting since the infamous 2023 Rugby World Cup quarter-final—South Africa found a way to prevail once more.

What could be the end of an era saw three veteran starters struggle in Paris, but the bench stepped up brilliantly, guiding the Boks to a remarkable 14-man comeback.

The Citizen: "He missed 10 minutes of action after taking a knock to his head and then was red carded for a dangerous tackle/clean-out. Otherwise good in the lineouts."

RUCK: "After an industrious first half, a reckless tackle on a dropping Ramos earned him a red card, ultimately costing his team. With no attempt to wrap and excessive force, the referee had little choice. A player of his quality should have known better."

Planet Rugby: "Unfortunate to be sent off, there was enough mitigation for the tackle to be at least sent to the Foul Play Review Officer, but Angus Gardner did not see it that way. Before then, he was actually having a fine outing, making good shots on defence and made a clutch lineout steal. However, we can’t ignore just how impactful his sending off was."

Rugby Pass: "Was harshly shown a red card for a head-to-shoulder shot on Ramos. The French fullback was falling as the South African lock was stooping to tackle. Had Ramos stood upright he would have been hit in the chest. De Jager was handy before that and pinched a French line-out inside his own 22 as the first half drew to a close, though three missed tackles reduced his score."

The Citizen: "The enforcer enjoyed a quiet Test, failing to impose himself up front, though he did take a number of lineout throws. Left the action in the 48th minute."

RUCK: "Fairly inconspicuous in the first half; the French pack seemed to nullify him. Interestingly, South Africa performed better without him on the pitch—a rare occurrence."

Rugby Pass: "Confrontational without being commanding. He wasn’t bossed by the French pack but didn’t do any bossing himself. A lukewarm contribution. Replaced by RG Snyman on 48 minutes."

The Citizen: " The Bok skipper won a 100th cap, and like many of his teammates found the going tough in the first half. Left the action at half-time, after Lood de Jager’s red card. What a captain!"

Rugby Pass: "Ten minutes before the start of his 100th Test, South Africa’s captain ran out to the centre of the Stade de France like a rock star, shrouded in the glow of a spotlight as fireworks exploded around him. We’ve become so used to fairytale moments from Kolisi that another was expected here. It wasn’t to be. After an inconspicuous first half he was hooked before the second as he made way for Ruan Nortje, on to shore up the pack following de Jager’s sending off."