Both teams
entered the Group A showdown needing to win, and relying on a favour from the other game between Uruguay and Mexico, to stand a chance of reaching the last 16.And it was South Africa who briefly harboured hopes of scrambling into the knockout phase when they led 2-0 at half-time as Mexico trailed Uruguay in the other match, only for a French consolation to shatter home fans' dreams.
Bongani Khumelo had headed Bafana Bafana into a 20th minute lead before France were down to 10 men after the unfortunate sending-off of Yoann Gourcuff.
Katlego Mphela, who had endured unsuccessful stints in France with Strasbourg and Reims earlier in his career, grabbed a second goal to send South Africa into the break dreaming of qualification.
But Florent Malouda pulled a goal back for France on 70 minutes and South Africa were unable to respond as they became the first host country to exit the World Cup at the group stage.
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