The clock was inching towards midnight local time as the great man collapsed to his haunches, exhausted by the exertions of yet another totemic performance.
‘Toto’, as they know him here, had nothing left to give. His job was done. Around him, Antoine Dupont’s French team-mates – led by the Tigger-like Louis Bielle-Biarrey – jumped for joy, barely able to believe what they had done. GALA’s Freed From Desire was the soundtrack to France’s latest rugby party.
Just seconds before, it was a combination of the great Dupont and Bielle-Biarrey that had won the game, sealing one of the most famous victories in France’s history. How fitting. What a night. What a privilege to see this truly miraculous game unfold live. By downing double world champions South Africa without a mammoth 25 injured players, France and their iconic captain Dupont made a big statement.
A thrilling 21-19 success saw them enact sweet revenge on the Springboks for their 2023 World Cup quarter-final loss. At the same time, it was also far more than that. It was confirmation of France’s genuine hopes for the 2027 tournament, that these are the best two teams in the world – regardless of what the rankings say – and that Dupont’s case to be the greatest Test player of all time must now be considered as genuine. It was also confirmation to England of what best in class looks like and the ground they still have to make up on it.
‘It was really important to us to win this game for so many reasons,’ said Dupont. ‘When we heard the whistle, it was a huge thing to share this with a stadium who helped us during the entire game. It was an amazing atmosphere. We were able to celebrate with the last kick. We were proud to represent the French nation with a remarkable mindset. We made some mistakes, but we counteracted them with unbelievable energy. That’s why we won.’
No one does beautiful chaos quite like the French. And this was it on steroids. When Bielle-Biarrey smashed hulking Springbok centre Jesse Kriel, it was Dupont who pounced on the loose ball. Maxime Lucu kicked the ball dead to start the celebrations. Dupont and Lucu – les deux petits généraux – masterminded this success. The former wore No10 with his team decimated in that position, but played in his usual scrum-half role. Lucu did the opposite as France proved all their doubters wrong. No Thomas Ramos. No Thibaud Flament. No Romain Ntamack. No Matthieu Jalibert. No Emmanuel Meafou. The list goes on and on. No problem!
Maxime Lucu and Antoine Dupont celebrate after France earned a 21-19 win over South Africa
Dupont’s case to be the greatest Test player of all time must now be considered as genuine
The French star is alongside the likes of legendary figures such as Jonah Lomu, Dan Carter, Jonny Wilkinson and Sir Gareth Edwards and he continues to raise the bar of rugby excellence
France coach Fabien Galthie had said pre-match victory would have been ‘unimaginable’ given his list of absentees. His fringe players made that dream a reality.
‘When the players are wearing the blue jersey, they just believe. It is powerful. It gives them something that helps them go over their limits,’ said Galthie. ‘Of course, I heard comments saying we were going to get trashed. I want to live the day. The future is now. I want to savour the victory. It’s huge, but it’s not the end. It’s part of the continuation of our ambition.’
Dupont is now alongside the likes of legendary figures such as Jonah Lomu, Dan Carter, Jonny Wilkinson and Sir Gareth Edwards. He continues to raise the bar of rugby excellence. Here, he kicked off both feet with aplomb. He tackled. He did the dirty work. He led from the front. Hell, he probably even swept the changing room floor on the way out too.
‘He was a nine. He was a 10. He was also a six at times!’ Galthie said of Dupont. France were second best at the scrum throughout against a South African team that changed their whole starting front row just before kick-off and then again in only the 35th minute. They also suffered three yellow cards. It made their success all the more remarkable.
‘Since the start of the season, he’s been at his best,’ try machine Bielle-Biarrey said of Dupont. ‘He feels good in the game plan. When he plays like that, in attack, in defence, in game management, it’s a real pleasure.’ If England are to win the next World Cup, they will likely have to beat one of these two sides and right now, that feels a stiff – if not totally insurmountable – task.
France’s strength in depth is enviable. South Africa were missing Cheslin Kolbe, but him aside this was the game’s dominant force at full strength. And they were still beaten.
‘It feels good to shut people up,’ said France hooker Peato Mauvaka. ‘It’s bloody annoying when people predict our defeat before a match.’
France’s backs-to-the-wall display sent a capacity Stade de France crowd wild with delight. Their defence and physicality were on point and when Dupont snatched possession cat-like at the death and Lucu ended the game, the place exploded. On nights like this, it is Paris that is the best place in the world to watch international rugby.
‘For me, Dupont is the GOAT (greatest of all time),’ said France wing Aaron Grandidier-Nkanang, who opened the scoring. ‘I’m absolutely not afraid to say it. Once again we saw a great Antoine. He’s so important for our team. We’re lucky to play with a player like him.’
France proved their doubters wrong with victory and showed their strength in depth, while demonstrating to England of what best in class looks like and the gap they must make up
France were devastated not to win their home World Cup three years ago. Their win here also meant England will likely have to beat New Zealand to top the northern Nations Championship pool and make the final.
‘Dupont is a player that’s so instinctive,’ said beaten South Africa boss Rassie Erasmus. ‘We didn’t know if he was going to play 10 or 9. That made it difficult. We weren’t just outplayed, we were outsmarted. I think we’ve killed our dreams for the Nations Championship with this result. It’s s*** losing.’
South Africa also suffered a 20-minute red card and a yellow. Andrea Piardi’s refereeing was far from perfect, but it only served to add to the relentless anarchy. Piardi warned France twice on the hour mark for poor discipline both at the set-piece and in general play, but didn’t hand out a card or penalty try. Les Bleus were fortunate to escape there, but they made the most of it. Erasmus aimed a sly dig at Piardi by saying he was ‘just human’, though his grievances in that area were just. The better overall team won, however.
Chapeau, France. And chapeau, Dupont.
