The match was all but won by France, however, a penalty won by Francois Louw, 5m short of the Springboks own tryline, led to South Africa working their way up the field, winning four vital lineouts and ultimately scoring, and this all after the time was up on the clock.

The win is the Springboks' first in three Tests following narrow defeats to both the All Blacks and England, while for Les Bleus, it is their fifth straight defeat. The Springboks also retained their unbeaten status over the French since 2009.

France took the early lead in the Test through a penalty by the scrumhalf, Baptiste Serin, and by the 11th minute, it had been doubled through a second successful attempt on goal.

Two minutes later, Handre Pollard got South Africa on the board with the first of his five penalties of the evening. Matters at home from French Rugby were levelled in the 22nd minute when Pollard struck again with the boot.

The Boks took the lead seven minutes later courtesy of the third penalty by the South African flyhalf, however, a few minutes later, the hosts regained the lead when their backline marshal, Camille Lopez, landed a drop-goal to regain the lead.

France took a healthy 16-9 lead into the half time break after the captain, Guilhem Guirado, crashed over for the first try of the Test.

The second stanza started with the colossal French centre, Mathieu Bastareaud, capitalising on a Sibusiso Nkosi knock-on, for the second try by the hosts. A mere minute later, Nkosi, made up for his mistake in the fine style by going over for the Springboks' first try.

Pollard slotted another two penalties to see South Africa trailing by just a single point, however, Serin landed another penalty minutes later.

It was the South Africans who would have the last laugh by setting up the try by the Bethlehem-born Mbonambi for the win.

The Boks now travel to Edinburgh where they will lock horns with Scotland at Murrayfield on Saturday evening. This Test at the home of Scottish rugby will kick off at 19:20.

Scorers:

France: Tries – Guilhem Guirado, Mathieu Bastareaud Conv. – Baptiste Serin 2 Pen. - Baptiste Serin 3 Drop-goal – Camille Lopez.

Springboks: Tries – S’bu Nkosi, Bongi Mbonambi Conv. – Handre Pollard 2 Pen. – Pollard 5.

@MorganPiek OFM Sport