Player ratings: Mixed bag

The changes to the French side definitely improved their chances, but South Africa were simply proved too good.

Jeremy Papier rates the French players!

15 Scott Spedding:

Impressive early start, scoring the first try of the night and continued to run hard at the defensive line.

7/10

14 Yoann Huget:

Early injury replacement by Nans Ducuing. Not enough time to be rated.

13.Damien Penaud:

Excellent debut by the young man. Well-deserved try scored towards the end of the game.

8/10

12 Gael Fickou:

Solid performance by Fickou, but when the traffic became heavy in the midfield he was a bit under pressure.

7/10

11 Virimi Vakatawa:

Not as much time on the ball but showed a few glimpses at times when he did carry the ball. 

7/10

10 Francois Trinh-Duc:

Good performance by the French No.10. Running the ball hard at the defence and made good decisions at times. He did, however, make a mistake that led to a try early on.

8/10

9 Baptiste Serin:

Solid performance yet again. He earned his starting position and will most probably continue to occupy that position for France.

8/10

8 Louis Picamoles:

One strong run by the big No.8 but replaced soon after due to injury. Replaced in the 21st minute by Bernard Le Roux

2/10

7 Kevin Gourdon:

A very busy performance by the French opensider. He kept on working on attack and defence. 

8/10

6 Yacouba Camara:

Picked up where he left off from last week's performance and worked tirelessly. 

8/10

5 Romain Taofifenua:

Powerful carries early up by the big lock forward but struggled when the game picked up pace.

7/10

4 Yoann Maestri:

Worked hard at the breakdowns but did not carry as much as his partner

6/10

3 Rabah Slimani:

Struggled with his grip at scrum times but had a few good carries and made a few tackles.

6/10

2 Guilhem Guirado: 

Solid performance by the captain. However, he could not inspire his team to a win over the Springboks. Had a few good carries and his line-out throws were good.

7/10

1 Jefferson Poirot:

Strong carries from the loosehead and he scrummaged well.

7/10

Replacements:

16 Clement Maynadier (On for Guirado, 74th min):

Not enough time to be rated.

17 Eddy Ben Arous (On for Poirot, 58th min):

Came on and carried a few balls.

5/10

18 Uini Atonio (On for Slimani, 58th min):

Came on and carried a few balls.

5/10

19 Julien Le Devedec (On for Maestri, 73rd min):

Not enough time to be rated

20 Bernard Le Roux (On for Picamoles, 22nd min):

Early injury replacement but only got going in the 2nd half. Good carries and defensive work.

6/10

21 Antoine Dupont (On for Serin, 56th min):

Good performance by the replacement halfback. He picked up where Serin left off.

7/10

22 Jean-Marc Doussain (On for Trinh-Duc, 74th min):

Not enough time to be rated.

23 Nans Ducuing (On for Huget, 13th min):

He did what he could in a losing cause.

6/10

@rugby365com

Photo: Wayne Seagreen