Les Bleus rue missed chances as Boks prevail

France paid the price for wastefulness while South Africa were ruthlessly clinical, Les Bleus’ coach Fabien Galthie said after his side’s 32-17 defeat by the world champions in their autumn international on Nov 8.

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France led 14-6 at the Stade de France after two Damian Penaud tries and dominated territory for long spells but failed to convert their chances, allowing the Springboks to turn the game around, despite playing with 14 men for the entire second half.

“Around the 60th minute, we had three clear chances where we should have scored,” Galthie told a press conference.

“After the 60th, they won penalties in midfield, pushed into our half and attacked hard with great efficiency.”

“Their second halves are always powerful and effective. They still have the same strengths, but they’ve developed them,” the former France captain added.

“We prepare to win, but we also have to accept defeat. It’s a great team but our players worked hard.”

Cobus Reinach scored the Springboks’ sole first-half try before Andre Esterhuizen, Grant Williams and Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu all crossed the line in the last 20 minutes.