Franck Ribery was played through South Africa's channel between left back and center half, and when the French attacker played the ball around an oncoming Moeneeb Josephs to Florent Malouda, France had their first goal. Malouda side footed a ball from 12 yards out into an empty net, making it 2-1 South Africa in the 71st minute.
France has played down a man throughout the second half but has stabilized their play after a first half that looked ripe for a South Africa rout.
With their goal, France has put South Africa three goals behind Mexico in goal difference, and if Les Bleus find another goal and draw South Africa, Bafana Bafana and Les Bleus will both be out of the 2010 World Cup.