XV de France Faces Setbacks and Rising Stars in Autumn Test Against South Africa

The XV de France rugby team suffered a 17-32 defeat against South Africa in their opening autumn test match, despite notable individual performances and key team preparations. Damien Penaud made history by scoring his 39th and 40th tries for France, surpassing Serge Blanco's previous record. Penaud opened the scoring with a try assisted by Thomas Ramos, who scored seven points and provided two assists while demonstrating impressive skill by breaking through six defenders. However, the French half-back pairing of Ntamack and Le Garrec struggled: Ntamack displayed a lack of precision, and Le Garrec was overwhelmed in rucks, which affected France's attacking fluency during the match.

On the disciplinary front, Louis Bielle-Biarrey received a yellow card, leaving France a player down for 10 minutes and contributing to a 12-point deficit. South Africa’s Lood De Jager was sent off with a red card for a dangerous tackle, a moment that ultimately did not change the outcome of the game. South African player Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu was the standout, scoring 17 points including a crucial late try.

Ahead of the test, the French team finalized their lineup with Gaël Fickou named as captain. Fickou stressed the importance of resilience by stating it was "out of the question to lower our heads" following challenging moments. The squad also prepared strategically with a 6-2 bench split and the inclusion of Le Garrec and Guillard in the starting lineup. The absence of key player Alldritt was confirmed, adding to the team's challenges. Meanwhile, former second-row Paul Willemse has retired and shared reflections on his transition to a new career path.

Despite the loss, France showcased moments of promise and individual brilliance but will be keen to improve their cohesion, especially in the half-back positions, as they continue their autumn tour.