Halfback Laure Sansus scored the first try of the Rugby World Cup after only two minutes, offering an early glimpse of the challenge France intend to bring to tournament favourites England and New Zealand.
While France are ranked No 4 in the world, their star-studded lineup is expected to out-perform that ranking, and they impressed in the opener at Eden Park, beating South Africa 40-5.
Sansus is one of those stars, the player of the championship in this season's Six Nations tournament.
Second five-eighth Gabrielle Vernier scored the second try and Emilie Boulard the third, giving France a 19-0 lead over 11th-ranked South Africa in better than even time. Vernier scored off a neat chip kick by first-five Caroline Drouin and Boulard went almost the length of the field from an intercept.
The score remained 19-0 at halftime as South Africa's performance was lifted by a strong scrum. That revival continued when South African winger Nomawethu Mabenge scored the first try of the second half.
