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South Africa demonstrated their world champions' resilience, storming back from a six-point deficit and the first-half dismissal of lock Lood de Jager to overwhelm the French team 32-17 in a physical Autumn international on the weekend.

Playing with 14 men for the whole second half, the South African side withstood early pressure before dominating Les Bleus through sheer physicality and calmness, quieting a raucous Stade de France expecting revenge for France's World Cup disappointment.

Two years after their agonising 29-28 World Cup quarter-final loss to the Springboks on their own turf, Les Bleus looked determined to set things right even without their unavailable captain Antoine Dupont. But France, now on a four-game losing streak, buckled under the strain as their discipline fell apart despite the Springboks being reduced to 14 men on the eve of half-time.

France's Early Dominance

Fabien Galthié’s side looked unstoppable early on as wing Damian Penaud scored twice to become his nation's record try-scorer with forty, overtaking Serge Blanco's longstanding record.

A series of reckless infringements and a expensive sin-binning, however, handed the initiative to the visitors who capitalized on every mistake in ruthless fashion.

South Africa responded with tries from Cobus Reinach, André Esterhuizen, Grant Williams and Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu, who also kicked two penalties and three extra points.

Turning Point

It had all started brightly for France. The No. 15 Thomas Ramos sent a expertly placed grubber over the defence after four minutes which Penaud collected to score. The winger struck again soon after, diving into the corner to double the lead, and when De Jager was dismissed for a dangerous tackle on Ramos, France seemed in complete command despite being only one point ahead.

Then came South Africa’s spectacular comeback through a mixture of clinical attacking and iron discipline.

The French winger Louis Bielle-Biarrey was sent to the sin-bin for a deliberate knock-on, and the reigning title holders pounced.

Esterhuizen powered over from a maul after the visitors had opted to go for the set piece after being awarded a infringement, before Williams darted through a fractured defensive line for another try as the impetus shifted dramatically.

Closing Out the Game

With France rattled and giving away a succession of penalties, Feinberg-Mngomezulu completed a remarkable comeback, rounding the defenders on the outside and sliding over the try-line before adding the extras to his own try.

South Africa have now defeated France in nine of their past 10 encounters. France next face Fiji in the French city on Saturday while the Springboks head to face the Italians.