Merceron display inspires France to a shock win over South Africa

France outhalf Gerald Merceron grabbed 27 points to inspire his country to a shock 32-23 first Test win over South Africa in Johannesburg.

Merceron was almost faultless as he kicked two conversions and six penalties to add to his second-half try, handing the French victory in the first of their two Tests against the Springboks.

South Africa gave debuts to wing Dean Hall, outhalf Butch James and prop Etienne Fynn, the first black forward to wear the green and gold.

And they appeared to be on their way to an expected win when Breyton Paulse held off several challenges to go over after just 22 seconds.

However "Les Blues" - intent on continuing their 100 per cent record at Ellis Park following wins in 1958, 1967 and 1993 - soon showed the kind of magical running play which would give them the win.

On 18 minutes, quick handling from the French backs stretched the South African back-line and allowed Christophe Dominici to run in on the right wing.

Some inconsistent kicking by Percy Montgomery allowed France to hold a 16-11 lead at the break.

Merceron continued to outkick Montgomery in the second half, and when the man-of-the-match wriggled through some poor South African tackles with five minutes remaining the victory was assured.

The shaven-haired Merceron had the final say, kicking his sixth penalty from close range with the last kick of the game.

In San Francisco, England manager Clive Woodward entered the history books on Saturday, but there were a few questions and not many answers in victory over the United States (48-19).

Woodward's team eclipsed a century-old record by collecting their 11th successive Test victory.

They collected eight tries and 19-year-old Olly Barkley became an international despite never starting a senior club game.

But after cruising into a half-time lead, England lost their way alarmingly, wing duo Jovesa Naivalu and Jone Naqica crossing within minutes to cut the visitors' lead.

England's greater class eventually told, Leon Lloyd and Josh Lewsey both grabbing a brace.

To their credit, the USA were more inventive in attack than Canada had been in previous weeks and at times fully stretched the visitors' defence.

Debutant Naqica took advantage of one such move to dart over the line, producing a jubilant jig of delight in celebration.

Meanwhile in Tokyo, Wales delivered when it mattered. A point down to Japan at half-time, they once again turned on the style in the second Test, in Tokyo, to run out convincing winners - as they had done in the first encounter yesterday week.

The most experienced of the Wales players, Cardiff wing Gareth Thomas, was the top point scorer in the 53-30 triumph. Thomas and Tom Shanklin, earning his first cap out of position on the opposite flank, ran in five of Wales' eight tries to avoid a potential banana-skin with the scores at 20-19 at half-time.

Scrum-half Gareth Cooper was the catalyst for Wales' second half surge, alongside centres Stephen Jones and Shane Williams, who gave Japan a lesson in the art of running with the ball.