France hold nerve to edge past South Africa in thriller

France held on to end their five-match losing run against South Africa at Stade de France with an enthralling 21-19 victory in Paris. The victory dents the world champions' hopes of reaching the Nations Championship final and puts Les Bleus in a strong position to top the northern hemisphere standings.

The hosts, inspired by their captain Antoine Dupont, showed their class and skill to score three first-half tries in an action-packed game. France's back three of Aaron Grandidier-Nkanang, Theo Attissogbe and Louis Bielle-Biarrey all crossed in a thrilling opening 40 minutes, with Jan-Hendrik Wessels scoring off the back of a maul for the visitors.

The Springboks thought they had a second try on the stroke of half-time but Kurt-Lee Arendse's try was chalked off after he strayed marginally offside. Number eight Jasper Wiese was shown a 20-minute red card early in the second half - the third of four cards shown the game - for a shoulder charge, but it had the opposite effect to derailing the world champions.