France Fall too Springboks Despite Red Card, World Cup Trauma Lingers
MARSEILLE, France - France suffered a 32-17 defeat to South Africa on Saturday, a result that underscores the notable gap remaining between the two sides and reopens the wounds of their heartbreaking 2023 Rugby World Cup quarter-final loss. Despite playing with 14 men for the entire second half following a red card, the Springboks secured four tries to France’s two, demonstrating a resilience that continues to plague Les Bleus.
The defeat, occurring at the same venue as the contentious World Cup match lost by a single point, highlights France’s ongoing struggle against the reigning world champions – a team they have beaten only once in the last ten encounters, a 30-26 victory in Marseille in 2022. This latest setback casts a shadow over France’s ambitions of claiming a first-ever World Cup title and raises questions about their ability to consistently perform against the sport’s elite. The loss serves as a stark reminder that despite progress, France remains in pursuit of the Springboks’ level of physicality and mental fortitude.
South Africa took advantage of a 40th-minute red card issued to lood De Jager for a hazardous high tackle on Thomas Ramos, yet still managed to dominate the second half, adding three tries to extend their lead. The French team, initially promising, ultimately appeared fatigued and unable to withstand the Springboks’ relentless pressure.
A radiant spot for France came in the form of winger Damian Penaud, who scored a double and surpassed serge Blanco’s long-standing record to become the French XV’s all-time leading try scorer with 40 tries. However, even this historic achievement couldn’t overshadow the overall disappointment of the evening.
