It was confusing, violent, disturbing, and ultimately rewarded with the enjoyment of painful success.
The XV of France both dominated South Africa for the first time since 2009 in a stifling and tense match, adding to their list of the Galthié era the last major nation missing within a year. of a World Cup on his land, and brought his series of victories to twelve in a row, a national record.
This is a new signal sent to the world of rugby for the planetary explanation of 2023, where France could also challenge the evening losers in the quarter-finals, and another memorable evening for this magical generation.
The meeting itself?
Basically, nothing memorable.
Well, if in a way.
A year after a breathless and pleasant advertisement at the Stade de France against the All Blacks (40-25), rugby has exposed its darker side at the Vélodrome, the one that pulls a fearful grimace in front of its television and which makes some people hesitate twice. parents to register the youngest at the local club.
The superb clash between the team on the best dynamics on the planet and the world champions started with the first forty minutes under far too much tension.
The promise of a bitter fight in an overheated cauldron turned into a hecatomb of wounded, with a total of four concussion protocols, three players forced out prematurely and above all a whim from Pieter-Steph du Toit.
The gesture, both stupid and dangerous from the South African third line on the very young dad Jonathan Danty (12th), earned him the least questionable red card in the world.
A handicap which did not prevent his team from joining the break with only six points behind (16-10), and a try everywhere.
The expulsion of Dupont weighs down the XV of France
“We expected this type of match, we have to respond with the same thing,” announced French coach Fabien Galthié at the microphone of France Télévisions when he returned to the lawn of the Vélodrome after the break.
By this desire not to let the Springboks play the role of the big bad alone, the boss of the Blues probably did not intend to find himself at fourteen against fourteen after the expulsion of his captain Antoine Dupont (48th), guilty of being came to sweep in the air his former partner in Toulouse Cheslin Kolbe.
Deprived of the best player in the world, the XV of France left the initiative to the "Sud-Afs", wandering groggy in a stadium suddenly cooled by the turn of events.
A converted try and a penalty in five minutes, pan, ten points in the teeth and the Springboks who switch to the lead as the hour mark approaches (19-23).
And then, a revolt.
South Africa who go to 13 after a yellow card.
Charges, selflessness, heaps, and finally prop Sipili Falatea, uncle of winger Yoram Moefana, who comes to pass the ball behind the line for another victory in the final moments, a week after the one against Australia (30-29).
“I wanted to make up for the touch lost just before, so I brought this try to the team.
“OK, not saying that we like to watch the best-of these 80 minutes in several years.
But seeing France win, we never get tired of it.