JP Pietersen scored a try with barely more than one minute played as South Africa beat France 19-10 in a scrappy rugby union contest.

The right winger charged down scrumhalf Morgan Parra’s sloppy clearance and ran into the right corner to silence the Stade de France crowd.

South Africa closed out the year with 10 wins from 12 Tests and a first triumph over France in France since a 52-10 rout in 1997, while France’s dismal season ends with eight defeats from 11 outings.

France’s only two wins of the year came against Scotland and Tonga and coach Philippe Saint-Andre has a lot of work to make his team competitive for next year’s Six Nations.

Left winger Yoann Huget’s try just before halftime gave the French hope after they trailed 13-0.