Damian Penaud cemented his legacy as a French rugby icon on Saturday, scoring two brilliant tries to surpass Serge Blanco as his country’s all-time leading try-scorer. However, the historic achievement was ultimately a footnote on a day of national disappointment, as France collapsed in the second half to lose 32-17 to a relentlessly resilient 14-man South Africa. The Springboks’ incredible comeback silenced the Stade de France and spoiled what should have been Penaud’s celebration.
The match began as the Penaud show. The winger was uncontainable, first gathering a pinpoint chip from Thomas Ramos to score, and then diving into the corner soon after for his record-breaking 40th try. With Les Bleus firing and South African lock Lood de Jager receiving a red card just before half-time for a dangerous tackle, the script seemed written for a famous French victory to avenge their World Cup elimination.
But the Springboks, reduced to 14 men for the entire second half, had other ideas. They emerged from the break with renewed purpose, tightening their defence and embracing a physical, attritional battle. France, who looked so fluid in the first half, became hesitant and then reckless. Their discipline completely disintegrated, allowing South Africa to gain a foothold in the game through a succession of penalties.
The real collapse began when France’s Louis Bielle-Biarrey was sent to the sin-bin for a deliberate knock-on, foolishly giving up his team’s man advantage. South Africa pounced on the opportunity. André Esterhuizen smashed over the line from a driving maul, before Grant Williams sliced through a now-panicked French defence for another try. The momentum had not just swung; it had been seized entirely by the world champions.
The Springboks’ comeback was capped off by Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu, who scored and converted his own try to seal the 32-17 win. While Penaud’s name is now in the record books, the match will be remembered for South Africa’s iron will and France’s inability to close out a game they should have won, extending their losing streak to four.