South Africa ended a five year losing streak against France with a resounding 42-17 victory over the French at Newlands on Saturday.

The Springboks had not beaten France since the teams met in 2005 in Port Elizabeth.

South Africa’s Springboks used a second string team to beat Wales at the Millennium Stadium last weekend but this weekend they use their full first choice selections.

The strength of the Springboks was evident almost from the kick off as Pierre Spies scored the match’s first try in the second minute.

The Springboks continued to dominate and a couple of minutes later Gio Aplon scored the first of his two tries.

France managed to get themselves back into the match a little but trailed 25-10 at half time.

South Africa scored five tries in the emphatic win by the Boks who at times played some outstanding rugby, but lost the plot somewhat when coach Peter de Villiers understandably gave all the bench players a run.

It was also a good performance in the context of the build-up to next year’s World Cup which was emphasised by the Springbok captain and vice captain John Smit and Victor Matfield, in media conferences this past week.

Almost nothing came of the build-up as the championship of the world between the Tri-Nations and Six Nations champions.

France, who showed in patches what they are capable of, scored a wonderful try based on skill and decision-making and came near on only two more occasions.

Their hoped for fight back ended within the first eight minutes of the second half during which the Springboks added ten points to their 25-10 halftime lead to go out of sight.

It was Gio Aplon who then created the damage with his second Test try that started while the French were on attack and looking to get back into the game.

Just as early in the first half, a loose French pass – and this time with a try looming – went astray.

The little Bok right wing broke infield and left the defence stranded as he ran nearly 90 metres before a cheering Stormers home crowd who loved every step he gave on his way to the tryline.

Earlier in the second half Morne Steyn was on target with his third penalty to stretch the lead to 28-10. The score remained at 35-10 for the next 26 minutes.

France had one or two look-ins without really threatening, except when Danie Rossouw saved a certain try when he took Morgan Parra on the corner flag.

Springbok coach De Villiers had rung the changes as early as half-time when Chiliboy Ralepelle came on for Springbok captain John Smit.

Smit was replaced as a precautionary measure with a hamstring niggle, the seriousness of which will only be known later. The Springboks were good in the lineouts and on the floor where Francois Louw did some good work.

They were once again not too convincing in the scrums where BJ Botha couldn’t hold his side up against Thomas Domingo. When Botha was replaced by Jannie du Plessis halfway through the first half, the scrum seemed steadier.

There were obviously still many rough edges and the Boks were helped by a French side that was well below par and out of sorts. They transgressed frequently at the breakdown, spilled passes and threw wild passes to supporting players.

France’s tackling at times was also sub par and undoubtedly instrumental – together with a loose pass – in the Springboks’ first try and also the first by Aplon, who wriggled out of a tackle and then used his Sevens skills to beat two more French players.

The Springboks were on the board after only 90 seconds when Pierre Spies swallow-dived over under the posts. The try came when the French gave a loose pass in an early attempt to run it wide.

Bryan Habana picked up just inside his own half, struggled out of a tackle and gave to Jaque Fourie who made good distance before giving to his inside where Spies came flying in.

The second converted try came after just less than eight minutes, and the third was a beauty when Morne Steyn, after a series of Bok rucks skipped two players to give it to Steenkamp.

The big man showed good hands and pace and hared more than 20 metres for a deserved try. The fifth try came after a rolling maul and Francois Louw, in his second Test, went over under the Jan Pickard Stand named after his grandfather.

Bulls lock Flip van der Merwe made his Test debut of the bench but lasted only five minutes before he was yellow-carded for a technical foul.

Final Score South Africa 42 (25) France 17 (10)

Scorers

South Africa
Tries – Spies, Aplon 2, Steenkamp, Louw
Pen – Steyn 3
Con – Steyn 3, Pienaar

France
Tries – Rougerie, Andreu
Pen – Parra
Con – Parra, Skrela