Springboks vs France – As it happened

18:59

And that’s that! The Springboks have achieved the 3-0 whitewash! Also, a first win over France at Ellis Park! It ends 35-12 and there’s a lot to be excited about!

18:57

18:52 

SPRINGBOKS 35 – FRANCE 12 (Try Rudy Paige)

It’s been a good night for the struggling Bulls players! Now, Rudy Paige has a first Test try after Bongi Mbonambi broke from line-out and delivered a superb off-load.

18:51

18:44

Given his chastening season to date, it really does feel that way…

18:38

18:35

SPRINGBOKS 28 – FRANCE 12 (Try Malcolm Marx)

It’s messy for the Boks from a line-out before Pieter-Steph du Toit bursts through a gap. Steven Kitshoff is held up before Marx scores a first Test try on his home ground.

18:29

SPRINGBOKS 21 – FRANCE 12 (Penalty Jules Plisson)

Eben Etzebeth interferes in a line-out and immediately apologises for his error. But it’s still a penalty and Plisson converts.

18:23

Yeah, well, people like us who pay through our noses for data might have mixed feelings over this…

18:20 

It’s been confirmed that 55 820 are at Ellis Park tonight. That certainly is a vote of confidence for the direction the Boks are going.

18:13

SPRINGBOKS 21 – FRANCE 9 (Try Eben Etzebeth)

Classic Springboks rugby. An early penalty is sent to the corner. Centre Jan Serfontein is the unexpected line-out receiver, giving South Africa more beef for the maul. Skipper for the day Eben Etzebeth bursts over.

18:03

17:57

SPRINGBOKS 16 – FRANCE 9 (Penalty Jules Plisson)

It’s half-time. The Springboks’ front row collapses at a scrum. And France have some momentum going into the second half.

17:52

SPRINGBOKS 16 – FRANCE 6 (Penalty Elton Jantjies)

Jan Serfontein’s beautiful midfield break gives the Springboks some momentum. But the follow-up play is rather stilted. Nonetheless, the French are penalised again. Jantjies slots a superb goal kick.

17:48

Yeah, the game has lost a bit of its fizz.

17:40

17:37

Cynical from the “former” Springboks coach!

17:35

SPRINGBOKS 13 – FRANCE 6 (Penalty Elton Jantjies)

It’s all actually been quite sloppy from the Springboks the past few minutes. But they again keep the French in their own half, who make life difficult for themselves by coming in from the side. Jantjies is back on target.

17:30

Is that why he missed?

17:27

SPRINGBOKS 10 – FRANCE 6 (Penalty Plisson)

Just after Elton Jantjies misses a fairly easy penalty, Francois Hougaard’s wayward pass puts the Boks under pressure. Beast Mtawarira holds on.

17:25

Support from a Protea in Cardiff!

17:23

SPRINGBOKS 10 – FRANCE 3 (Penalty Jules Pilsson)

Beast Mtawarira goes high with a tackle. Good strike by Pilsson.

17:22

The French are indeed haphazard.

17:20

SPRINGBOKS 10 – FRANCE 0 (Try Jesse Kriel)

A magnificent tackle by Jan Serfontein pins the French, who are held up in a maul. Franco Mostert rips the ball free, feeds debutant Ruan Dreyer, who passes to Kriel. Brilliant counterattacking play.

17:19

17:17

SPRINGBOKS 3 – FRANCE 0 (Penalty Elton Jantjies)

Good cover defence by Jesse Kriel gives the Springboks field position on halfway. Jaco Kriel shows impressive upper body strength with a fine run and forces the French to go off their feet. Elton Jantjies continues his fine kicking form.

17:14

Kick-off and it’s the French that have most of the possession. But the Springboks’ defence is solid and forces the French to kick into touch.

17:05

Well, he is after all the new Springboks captain…

17:02

This puts the horrors of 2016 into a fairly positive perspective.

16:53

Indeed, 22 years ago on the same ground the Springboks won the 1995 World Cup title.

16:52

16:40

Interestingly, the French have a perfect record at Ellis Park. They’ve won all of their Tests here since 1958.

Hopefully the Springboks break their hoodoo.

16:35

That Frans Steyn is at it again!

15:50

The revised Springboks team: 

15 Andries Coetzee, 14 Raymond Rhule, 13 Jesse Kriel, 12 Jan Serfontein, 11 Courtnall Skosan, 10 Elton Jantjies, 9 Francois Hougaard, 8 Jean-Luc du Preez, 7 Jaco Kriel, 6 Siya Kolisi, 5 Franco Mostert, 4 Eben Etzebeth (c), 3 Ruan Dreyer, 2 Malcolm Marx, 1 Beast Mtawarira

Bench: 16 Bongi Mbonambi, 17 Steven Kitshoff, 18 Coenie Oosthuizen, 19 Pieter-Steph du Toit, 20 Lood de Jager, 21 Rudy Paige, 22 Frans Steyn, 23 Dillyn Leyds

15:46

15:45

We start with some big news regarding the game. Captain Warren Whiteley has been withdrawn with a groin injury. He’ll be replaced as skipper by Eben Etzebeth. Jaco Kriel will take his place in the starting line-up, with Jean-Luc du Preez playing at No 8.

15:45 

Welcome to our coverage of the third Test between the Springboks and France.

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