Siya Kolisi was at the heart of the Springboks' superb performance. Photo: Steve Haag/Gallo Images.
18:58
It’s a series win for the Springboks!
They win 37-15, delivering a performance brimming with excellent defence, soaking up pressure and taking their attacking chances.
18:57
18:56
SPRINGBOKS 37 – FRANCE 15 (Try Elton Jantjies)
Siya Kolisi caps off a magnificent performance by intercepting at halfway and gifting a scoring pass to Elton Jantjies.
18:50
18:47
SPRINGBOKS 30 – FRANCE 15 (Try Damien Penaud)
The French strike back after they contest the kick-off. Some wonderful, delayed passing sees debutant Damien Penaud dot down.
18:45
SPRINGBOKS 30 – FRANCE 10 (Try Coenie Oosthuizen)
The Springboks turn over possession and patiently build after Jantjies makes good ground. Pieter-Steph du Toit’s beautifully timed pass to Coenie Oosthuizen proves irresistible, especially given the replacement prop’s superb running line.
18:43
A SuperSport United stalwart is enjoying things.
18:40
SPRINGBOKS 23 – FRANCE 10 (Penalty Francois Trinh-Duc)
Finally, France are rewarded for all their attacking endeavour after Franco Mostert goes off-side at a ruck. But it still feels like a win for the Springboks in that passage of play.
18:33
France finally go wide as Damien Penaud aims for the left-hand touchline but some brilliant cover defence by Ross Cronje undermines him. Still 23-7 after 58 minutes.
18:29
Outstanding tackling by the Springboks.
18:27
The fan club expands by the minute.
18:22
Superb defence by the Springboks. France manage to do do pretty much nothing after 25 phases.
18:18
Difficult not to see that connection.
18:08
18:03
18:02
A scrum lesson from a former Springbok captain. France have paid the price to date.
18:00
HALFTIME: SPRINGBOKS 23 – FRANCE 7
The hosts came back superbly in the second quarter. They’re on their way to a series win! But it’s not over yet.
17:57
SPRINGBOKS 23 – FRANCE 7 (Penalty Elton Jantjies)
Raman Slimani gets punished in the scrum. And the lead is extended.
17:52
17:50
SPRINGBOKS 20 – FRANCE 7 (Penalty Elton Jantjies)
France are under the cosh now. They defend a maul illegally and Jantjies pops the penalty over.
17:46
SPRINGBOKS 17 – FRANCE 7 (Try Siya Kolisi)
Jan Serfontein rescues a stray pass by Skosan with a smart kick. He then follows up brilliantly with a superb tackle and the pass ends up in Kolisi’s hands. Deserved that score.
17:45
Check out the Serfontein try.
17:42
Siya Kolisi has been a hit in the No 6 jersey.
17:39
SPRINGBOKS 10 – FRANCE 7 (Try Jan Serfontein)
Elton Jantjies changes the angle and finds Jan Serfontein, who gets support from centre partner Lionel Mapoe, but it’s the brilliant off-load by Courtnall Skosan and the perfectly timed pass by Siya Kolisi that opens it up for Serfontein. Superb try.
17:35
Slimani wins one as France get a penalty.
17:32
Poor man
17:29
Oupa Mohoje seems to have sustained concussion after a clash on defence. Jean-Luc du Preez comes on.
17:24
Excellent set move from the line-out as the inside pass goes to Raymond Rhule. He breaks and finds Oupa Mohoje, who straightens well. But Ross Cronje can’t find any of the three runners waiting for the ball.
17:19
SPRINGBOKS 3 – FRANCE 7 (Penalty Elton Jantjies)
Avoidable penalty by the French, who go off-side in midfield. Jantjies on the money.
17:18
Brilliant scoring pass by the Fiji-born wing.
17:13
SPRINGBOKS 0 – FRANCE 7 (Try Scott Spedding)
The Springboks slack off at a breakdown and cough up posession. The midfielders provide thrust before some brilliant handling down the left side sees former South African Scott Spedding dot down in the corner. Fine start by the tourists.
17:09
Couldn’t agree more.
17:08
The Drakensberg Boys Choir are singing the national anthems today. Really nice and refreshing.
17:06
There are quite a few empty seats.
16:59
He didn’t do all that badly with his dodgy cut too!
16:57
16:49
We can confirm this. Once you’ve sat down, you’re not moving.
16:47
16:32
The Springboks team: Andries Coetzee, Raymond Rhule, Lionel Mapoe, Jan Serfontein, Courtnall Skosan, Elton Jantjies, Ross Cronje, Warren Whiteley, Oupa Mohoje, Siya Kolisi, Franco Mostert, Eben Etzebeth, Frans Malherbe, Malcolm Marx, Beats Mtawarira. Bench: Bongi Mbonambi, Steven Kitshoff, Coenie Oosthuizen, Pieter-Steph du Toit, Jean-Luc du Preez, Francois Hougaard, Frans Steyn, Dillyn Leyds.
16:31
16:28
Frans Steyn isn’t having much of a problem knocking over those long range penalties.
16:26
16:22
He also talks a bit about the way the Springboks should play:
“I think the Springboks played the type of game that people were pleased to see. There was variety and balance. They still created a lot of opportunities and will hope to take them better.”
16:20
Former Springboks skipper Jean de Villiers believes the hosts will be even better this week:
“They’ll be keen. They’ve set themselves a marker after last week and will want to improve further. The confidence is there.”
16:16
Warren Whiteley carries a lot of burdens at the moment. He’s the face of the “new” Springboks.
He also doesn’t mind being skipper of the national side as well as the Lions.
But just don’t try to compare his responsibilities with each other.
16:11
A decade ago, Scott Spedding was playing for the Sharks. Now he’s a French international.
16:00
The Springboks have been addressed by sports minister Thulas Nxesi.
15:45
Hooker Malcolm Marx was named Man-of-the-Match at Loftus last week.
Read here what he’s been doing right.
15:33
Preferably, uhm, everyone?
15:31
This tweet (“Tears or joy?”) is actually more significant than you think.
The Springboks have lost their last two Tests at Kings Park – a traumatic 25-37 first loss to Argentina in 2015 and last year’s 15-57 nightmare at the hands of the All Blacks.
15:30
So, was last week’s good performance at Loftus a fluke or have the Springboks actually embarked on a new journey?
Welcome to our coverage of the second Test against France in Durban.
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