They are ideally launched. The French rugby team won against South Africa in the opening match of the 2022 Rugby World Cup (40-5), at Eden Park in Auckland, Saturday October 8 2022. Carried by a Laure Sansus in the legs, the French quickly took the lead, thanks to three tries scored before the break, before winning the offensive bonus at the end of the game.
! Les Bleues win in this opening match of the World Cup! Good job girls ! #FRAAFS #XVdeFrance #Don’tDoXV #RWC2021 pic.twitter.com/DpGcGKRA7w
– France Rugby (@FranceRugby) October 8, 2022
Never beaten by South Africa in four confrontations, the Blues were keen to continue the series and take care of their first outing in New Zealand. On the lawn of Eden Park on Saturday, they immediately took over their opponents of the day. After a first tricolor foray into the South African camp to set the tone, Laure Sansus came to score her first try from the 3rd minute of play. Under the impetus of the best player of the 2022 Six Nations Tournament, the French added two more goals to their tally (11th, 17th) to lead 19-0 after 20 minutes.
Physically and technically superior, the French women reassured themselves after the unexpected defeat in preparation against Italy (26-19) at the beginning of September. They managed their lead and contained the South African offensives, which failed to approach the tricolor in-goal before the return from the locker room. Les Bleues let go again in the last quarter of an hour, scoring three new tries to win the offensive bonus. Scrum half Laure Sansus, named player of the match, went there with her double (68th), and newcomer Joanna Grisez opened her counter for her first selection (81st) by coming to conclude a very good inspiration from Caroline Drouin after Mermaid.
Congratulations to the @MasterCard #POTMLaure Sansus #RWC2021 | #RSAvFRA | #Priceless pic.twitter.com/VAVbSsff06
— Rugby World Cup (@rugbyworldcup) October 8, 2022
But everything was not perfect for the players of Thomas Darracq, who displayed waste in their game, on missed throws in touch (32nd), inaccuracies in the scrum, too many hand faults. They were trapped on a weak time after returning from the locker room and conceded their only try scored by the South Africans after a long period of domination (50th). “It’s a good performance because we won, but the content is not yet satisfactory”, estimated Laure Sansus at the microphone of TF1 after the final whistle. The Blue will have to raise the level on the next meetings to assume their position of outsider and aim as high as possible in this World Cup.
With this first victory, the Blues still provide the essentials and temporarily take the lead in Group C, pending the match between England and Fiji. For their ninth participation in the World Cup, they sign a ninth victory in their opening match. They now have an appointment with the English, the toughest opponent in their group, on October 15.