As it turned out, though, the Springboks kept their Outgoing Tour winning streak intact with a 29-20 (half-time 19-17) win over England, while later in the night France secured a one-point thriller ...
A France player has left their camp ahead of the encounter with the All Blacks after he refused to be picked as a reserve.
France captain Antoine Dupont praised his side's "pragmatism" after the 30-29 victory over New Zealand on Saturday in Paris.