South Africa underlined their status as the world’s leading side as they beat France 32-17 on Sunday (NZT) in Paris despite lock Lood de Jager’s first-half red card.

The Springboks played 40 minutes down a man after De Jager’s shoulder charge on Les Bleus fullback Thomas Ramos, but secured victory thanks to second-half tries from replacements Andre Esterhuizen and Grant Williams as well as flyhalf Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu.

Home winger Damian Penaud had scored twice in the opening half an hour, overtaking legend Serge Blanco as his country’s leading try scorer, in a rematch of the 2023 Rugby World Cup quarter-final won by the Boks on their way to a fourth Webb Ellis trophy.

Both sides are unlikely to have tougher outings next weekend in the Autumn Nations Series. France host Fiji and South Africa head to Italy.

South Africa’s victory was built on grit and moments of brilliance.

After the game, man-of-the-match Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu told Sky Sport: “That was what we thought it was going to be against France.

“We were doing well in contestable kicks, but were not getting points on the board but we stuck in there and it was great to win for Siya [Kolisi on his 100th cap].

“It is good fun playing in this team. I am part of an incredible team and it is a dream to play for the Springboks. I got injured on the 28 December for the Stormers against the Sharks and Siya told me to hold tight and we would win together. He has done so much for me and this country.”

At halftime, France had led by 14-13.

Feinberg-Mngomezulu scored a try and two conversions, joined Reinach, Esterhuizen and Williams as try scorers. For France, Damian Penaud scored two tries and Thomas Ramos landed one conversion and one penalty.