Springboks beaten in Paris, lose World Rugby No 1 ranking

The Springboks fell short in their Nations Championship clash against France at the Stade de France in Paris on Friday, losing their World Rugby No 1 ranking in the process.

When the final whistle sounded, France emerged narrow 21-19 winners having led 21-7 at half-time.

It was France’s first win over South Africa in Paris since 2005.

Slipped to second place

The Springboks scored three tries through hookers Jan-Hendrik Wessels and Malcolm Marx, and replacement scrumhalf Cobus Reinach. Flyhalf Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu added two conversions.

South Africa entered the match top of the World Rugby standings on 93.09 points, 0.44 ahead of New Zealand on 92.65.

However, they lost 1.56 points to drop to second, with France picking up 1.56 points, moving to third place overall.

South Africa will take on Ireland in their next Nations Championship match on Saturday, 21 November in Dublin.

Kick-off is at 18:40 (SA time).

Teams

France

15 Théo Attissogbe, 14 Aaron Grandidier-Nkanang, 13 Kalvin Gourgues, 12 Yoram Moefana, 11 Louis Bielle-Biarrey, 10 Antoine Dupont (captain), 9 Maxime Lucu, 8 Grégory Alldritt, 7 Cameron Woki, 6 François Cros, 5 Mickaël Guillard, 4 Florian Verhaeghe, 3 Sipili Falatea, 2 Peato Mauvaka, 1 Jean-Baptiste Gros

Replacements: 16 Maxime Lamothe, 17 Rodrigue Neti, 18 Régis Montagne, 19 Charles Ollivon, 20 Tom Staniforth, 21 Esteban Capilla, 22 Axel Desperes, 23 Émilien Gailleton

South Africa

15 Damian Willemse, 14 Kurt-Lee Arendse, 13 Jesse Kriel, 12 Damian de Allende, 11 Ethan Hooker, 10 Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu, 9 Morne van den Berg, 8 Jasper Wiese, 7 Pieter-Steph du Toit, 6 Siya Kolisi (captain), 5 Ruan Nortje, 4 Lood de Jager, 3 Gerhard Steenekamp, 2 Jan-Hendrik Wessels, 1 Thomas du Toit

Replacements: 16 Wilco Louw, 17 Malcolm Marx, 18 Ox Nche, 19 Franco Mostert, 20 Cameron Hanekom, 21 Paul de Villiers, 22 Cobus Reinach, 23 Manie Libbok

Referee: Andrea Piardi (Italy)
Assistant referees: Christophe Ridley (England), Gianluca Gnecchi (Italy)
TMO: Matteo Liperini (Italy)