INTERNATIONAL TEST South Africa 42 France 17:SOUTH AFRICA produced a ruthless five-try display as France were brushed aside in the one-off Test at Newlands in Cape Town on Saturday.
The tourists never recovered after a nightmare opening quarter, but they struggled to cope with the Springboks’ physicality and supreme line-out work throughout as they were handed a humbling defeat following their Grand Slam winning exploits in the RBS Six Nations.
The world champions roared into a 17-0 lead after 10 minutes thanks to tries from number eight Pierre Spies and wing Gio Aplon plus a penalty and two conversions from fly-half Morne Steyn.
Steyn added another penalty and prop Guthro Steenkamp went over as the hosts took a 25-10 half-time lead. Aurelien Rougerie crossed for the visitors with Morgan Parra kicking five points.
Steyn, who kicked 15 points in total, added another penalty after the break and Aplon’s second try plus a score from Francois Louw sealed an emphatic win.
Replacement Marc Andreu got a late consolation for the French.
South Africa made seven changes from the side that beat Wales a week ago as the likes of Spies, Bryan Habana, Schalk Burger and Steyn all returned.
France coach Marc Lievremont handed a Test debut to flanker Wenceslas Lauret but stuck with the majority of the side that secured the Grand Slam.
Wing Rougerie returned after missing the majority of the Six Nations through injury while Maxime Mermoz partnered David Marty at centre.
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