France hold off Springboks to maintain winning record

PARIS - France held off a spirited second-half fightback by South Africa to end their November series with a perfect record and a 26-20 victory at Stade de France today.

Early tries by hooker Dimitri Szarzewski and first five-eighths Frederic Michalak helped France into a 15-0 lead after just 15 minutes, although a penalty by South Africa fullback Percy Montgomery reduced the deficit to 15-3 at halftime.

The Springboks hit back when lock Bakkies Botha controversially crossed the line soon after the break, having appeared to put a foot into touch, but France countered with right wing Aurelien Rougerie scoring a superbly worked blindside try.

Although Springbok centre Jaque Fourie touched down late on, the French held on to their lead to complete a fourth November win in a row, having defeated Australia 26-16, Canada 50-6 and Tonga 43-8.

France 26 (Dimitri Szarzewski, Frederic Michalak, Aurelien Rougerie tries; Jean-Baptiste Elissalde conversion, 2 penalties, Michalak penalty)

South Africa 20 (Bakkies Botha, Jaque Fourie tries; Percy Montgomery conversion, penalty; Meyer Bosman conversion, penalty).

Halftime: France 15-3.- REUTERS