The Springboks came back from 14-0 down in Paris, then a conversion went wide and France won 21-19

France have handed South Africa their first defeat of the Nations Championship, winning 21-19 at the Stade de France in Paris on Friday night (Saturday morning AWST).

The world champions had fought back from 14-0 down. Hooker Malcolm Marx scored with nine minutes left to bring them within two points, but Manie Libbok, on as a replacement, pulled the conversion wide to the left. In the closing stages, captain Antoine Dupont won a turnover that ended South Africa’s last chance.

How did France build the lead?

Fast. Aaron Grandidier-Nkanang and Theo Attisogbe scored as France raced to 14-0, and winger Louis Bielle-Biarrey added a third try from a move built by hooker Peato Mauvaka and Dupont. It was Bielle-Biarrey’s 30th try in 29 Tests: more than a try a game.

South Africa replied through Jan-Hendrik Wessels from a rolling maul, converted by Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu, and halfback Cobus Reinach. Kurt-Lee Arendse thought he had scored too, but his try was ruled out for offside.

Why were so many players off the field?

Referees were busy all night. Lood de Jager was sin-binned before Wessels’ try, and France’s Maxime Lucu was sin-binned late in the first half. Grandidier-Nkanang and prop Regis Montagne were both shown yellow cards around Reinach’s try. Early in the second half, Jasper Wiese was given a 20-minute red card for a dangerous tackle, under the rule that lets a team bring on a replacement once the 20 minutes are up.

France had a chance to make it safe. With about a quarter of an hour left, Lucu missed a long-range penalty that would have put them 10 points clear, which is why Marx’s try made it a one-score game.

What does it mean for the final?

France now lead the northern hemisphere table by seven points, though they have played one more game than their rivals. The Nations Championship, which began in July, puts the six northern sides against the six from the south, and the top teams meet at a finals weekend at the end of November.

For South Africa, the path to the final is no longer in their own hands. They need New Zealand to slip against Wales or England. Ireland, who play Fiji and then South Africa, need to win both and hope for a slip elsewhere next week.

Where do the Wallabies stand?

Australia are chasing the southern leaders after a heavy loss to England. They play Scotland at Murrayfield on Sunday afternoon UK time, late on Sunday night AWST, and Friday’s result is a reminder of how one kick can swing a table this tight.