Nothing was easy to play rugby this Saturday at the Jean-Bouin stadium.
A fine and icy rain, a swirling wind, reorganized teams which are not used to playing together: the Challenge Cup match between the Stade Français Paris and the Emirates Lions of Johannesburg was above all summed up in a festival of blunders.
In this contest of approximations, the South African province, winner in the first leg in December (30-12), initially came out better.
More powerful and a bit more precise, the South Africans scored the only points of the first period after a carried ball concluded in the in-goal by number 8 Tshituka (0-7, 15th).
The Johannesburg team, with a funny outfit (black shorts, blue and yellow jersey), was not disturbed by this change of jersey at the last minute, the match organizer, the EPCR, having revoked its traditional red color, too close to Parisian pink.
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The entry of the innkeepers rocks the match
Despite this amateur outfit, the South Africans initially seemed more professional than the young Parisians.
With many players lacking playing time, Gonzalo Quesada's men have indeed suffered a lot.
Julien Ory's charges and tackles in the third line were not enough.
The former Toulonnais was thus stopped dead by the pillar of 150 kg Ntlabakanye.
As a symbol of this power deficit of the Parisians.
Les Soldats Roses had the merit of not giving up despite this accumulation of clumsiness, like rookie Timani and his three forwards in less than half an hour.
On returning from the locker room, the teammates of Ryan Chapuis, captain of the day, camp in the South African camp to catch up.
The entry of a few owners (Marcos Kremer, Paul Alo-Emile) is good for the Parisian pack, which finally takes over.
The Lions accumulate faults and collect two yellow cards, two penalties from Segonds and a try on the ball carried by Panis (11-7, 61st).
The game has changed.
The current confidence of the Parisians, 2nd in the Top 14, made the difference in a well-managed end to the match.
In particular by Arthur Coville, who entered at the opening, which sealed the success of Les Soldats Roses.
With this victory, the Stade Français is back for qualification in the round of 16 of this "small" European Cup, before a perilous trip to Italy, to Benetton Treviso, next weekend.
Dots
Stade Français - Emirates Lions: 17-7
Half time 0-7.
Spectators: 7533.
French Stadium.
1 try (Panis 61st).
4 penalties (Segonds 47th, 56th, Coville 67th, 79th).
1 yellow card (Arrate 34th).
Emirates Lions.
1 try (Tshituka 15th).
1 transformation (Lombard 15th).
3 yellow cards (Lombard 54th, Smith 55th, Van Wyk 68th).
