Updated

France beat world champions South Africa 21-19 on Friday in the Nations Championship, ending the Springboks' hopes of lifting the first Nations Championship trophy. France led 21-7 at half-time through tries from Aaron Grandidier-Nkanang, Louis Bielle-Biarrey and Theo Attissogbe, who scored two, before South Africa rallied with tries from Jan-Hendrik Wessels, Malcolm Marx and Cobus Reinach. The decisive moment came when replacement fly-half Manie Libbok missed a conversion that would have tied the match. Captain Antoine Dupont was named man of the match in a game marked by cards, including a red card for Springboks No.8 Jasper Wiese in the second half. France 24 called the win thrilling for Les Bleus. France's Maxime Lucu missed several kicks, but a late defensive effort helped the hosts hold on. The result was South Africa's first defeat of the tournament, handing the initiative to New Zealand in the southern hemisphere pool. France keep the lead in the northern hemisphere section before next weekend's match against Argentina, a position that keeps them in contention to reach the final at Twickenham in two weeks' time.