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The Springboks displayed their reigning world champions' resilience, storming back from a six-point deficit and the first-half dismissal of second-row Lood de Jager to crush France 32-17 in a bruising Autumn international on the weekend.

Down a man for the entire second half, the Springboks absorbed early pressure before dominating the French through sheer physicality and composure, silencing a boisterous crowd in Paris expecting revenge for their World Cup heartbreak.

Two years after their painful 29-28 World Cup quarter-final loss to the Springboks on home soil, Les Bleus looked determined to set things right even without their injured captain Antoine Dupont. But France, now on a four-match winless run, cracked under the strain as their composure fell apart despite the Springboks being reduced to 14 men on the stroke of the interval.

France's Strong Start

Fabien Galthié’s side looked irresistible early on as winger Damian Penaud crossed for two tries to become his country’s record try-getter with 40, overtaking Serge Blanco's long-standing record.

A succession of ill-disciplined penalties and a expensive yellow card, however, handed the initiative to the visitors who punished every mistake in clinical fashion.

The Springboks fought back with tries from Cobus Reinach, André Esterhuizen, Grant Williams and Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu, who also kicked two penalties and three extra points.

Game-Changing Moment

It had all started brightly for the hosts. The full-back Thomas Ramos sent a expertly placed chip over the defence after four minutes which Penaud collected to score. The winger added another soon after, diving into the corner to extend the advantage, and when De Jager was dismissed for a dangerous tackle on Ramos, France seemed in full control despite being only a single point ahead.

Then came South Africa’s impressive comeback through a combination of precise offense and iron discipline.

The France outside back Louis Bielle-Biarrey was yellow-carded for a intentional knock-forward, and the reigning title holders pounced.

Esterhuizen barged through from a maul after the Springboks had opted to go for the lineout after being awarded a penalty, before Williams sprinted past a fractured defensive line for another try as the impetus swung quickly.

Sealing the Win

With the French shaken and conceding a stream of infringements, Feinberg-Mngomezulu sealed a memorable comeback, rounding the defenders on the outside and sliding over the line before adding the extras to his own score.

The Springboks have now beaten France in nine of their last ten meetings. The French team next face the Flying Fijians in the French city on the coming weekend while the Springboks travel to face the Italians.