Rugby Union: Lacroix kicks France to victory

South Africa. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .17

France. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .18

FRANCE'S nail-biting win over South Africa in the second Test on Saturday in Johannesburg gave the tourists a 1-0 series victory after last Saturday's 20-20 draw.

South Africa's James Small scored the only try but the hosts gave away too many penalties.

Thierry Lacroix scored 15 points, with four penalties and a drop goal, while Alain Penaud's accurate kicking took the pressure off time and again.

South Africa made a flying start and were rewarded with Small's try after only seven minutes. Theo van Rensburg put his side 8-0 ahead with a penalty five minutes later but the French fought back. Penaud opened their account with a drop goal and Lacroix kicked two penalties to put them 9-8 in front at half-time.

With Lacroix and van Rensburg swapping penalties the home side threw everything at the French and were awarded a penalty just inside the French half. Van Rensburg's kick had the direction but dropped inches below the bar.

South Africa: Try Small; Penalties van Rensburg 4. France: Penalties Lacroix 4; Drop goals Penaud, Lacroix.

SOUTH AFRICA: T van Rensburg; J Olivier, H Fuls, P Muller, J Small; H le Roux, R du Preez; W Hills (J Styger, 8), U Schmidt, K Andrews, F Pienaar (capt), H Strydom, N Wegner, D Lotter, T Strauss.

FRANCE: J-L Sadourny (O Campan, 49); P Saint-Andre, T Lacroix, P Sella, P Bernat-Salles; A Penaud, A Hueber; L Amary, J-M Gonzales, S Graou, P Benetton, O Merle, O Roumat (capt), L Cabannes, M Cecillon.

Referee: E Morrison (England).