Antoine Dupont, starting in the No 10 jersey but operating in his customary role, proved central to the French effort. Despite being outplayed in the scrum and lineout, France maintained their composure to defend a slender lead during a frantic final half-hour.

The scoring opened with a try from wing Aaron Grandidier-Nkanang after Lood de Jager was sent to the sin-bin. Théo Attissogbe added a second try following a fortuitous bounce off a teammate, and Louis Bielle-Biarrey crossed after a precise grubber kick from Dupont.

South Africa responded with physical dominance, particularly in the scrum, and scored through a rolling maul. Jasper Wiese was shown a red card for an illegal clearout, while Maxime Lucu, Grandidier-Nkanang, and Régis Montagne received yellow cards during the match.

South Africa coach Rassie Erasmus acknowledged the tactical challenge posed by the hosts. Late in the game, Malcolm Marx scored a try from a rolling maul, but Manie Libbok missed the subsequent conversion that would have levelled the scores with seven minutes remaining.

Erasmus expressed frustration with the outcome, stating that his side had been out-thought throughout the contest. The Springboks had an earlier try by Kurt-Lee Arendse disallowed for offside, and another effort by Cobus Reinach was ultimately insufficient to bridge the gap.

France will look to build on this momentum in their upcoming fixtures as the Nations Championship continues. The victory marks a significant milestone for the French squad, who successfully navigated a match marked by high intensity and controversial officiating decisions.

This development follows the closure of a pop-up NFL shop in the city centre, which was shut down on Friday. Security concerns have significantly impacted the lead-up to the league's historic debut in France, which features a regular-season matchup between the New Orleans Saints and the Pittsburgh Steelers.

The Saints-Steelers game is scheduled to take place on Sunday at the Stade de France. In addition to the closure of the NFL House, the New Orleans Saints announced that their own "Saints House" activation has been postponed until Sunday.

The atmosphere in Paris has been tense, with a heavy police presence visible throughout the city and many storefronts boarded up as a precaution. Major cultural institutions, including the Louvre and the Orsay Museum, remained closed on Saturday.

The U.S. State Department issued a security alert earlier this week, advising American visitors in Paris for the NFL game to exercise caution and remain aware of their surroundings due to the ongoing protest activity in the capital.

NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell addressed the situation earlier in the week, noting that league officials have been working in close consultation with both U.S. and French authorities. Goodell remarked that street protests are not unusual in France.

On Friday, French President Emmanuel Macron hosted a meeting at the Élysée Palace with Commissioner Goodell, Saints owner Gayle Benson, and Steelers owners Art Rooney II. The discussions focused on the upcoming game and the potential for a long-term NFL presence.

The league has attempted to mitigate the impact on fans by directing them to an alternative shop located at the Stade de France in Saint-Denis. However, the disruption to scheduled fan events remains significant, with a weekend gathering for Steelers supporters cancelled on Thursday.

Events that were originally planned for Saturday at the NFL House included "French Athletes in Football" and "From the Field to the Community." These sessions were intended to engage local fans but were ultimately scrapped due to the security situation.

Despite the security challenges, the game at the Stade de France remains the centerpiece of the NFL's international growth strategy. The league continues to monitor the situation in Paris closely as the kickoff for Sunday's fixture approaches.

French authorities are currently intent on preventing a repeat of recent violent unrest. The heightened security measures and the closure of major tourist sites reflect the seriousness with which the government is treating the potential for disruption this weekend.

The NFL's decision to close its flagship fan venue came after careful assessment of the environment in Paris. The league has prioritized the safety of its fans, staff, and players as they prepare for this high-profile international regular-season game.

The New Orleans Saints, who are acting as the home team for this fixture, have also had to adjust their schedule. The postponement of "Saints House" until Sunday is a direct response to the evolving security landscape in the city.

While the city centre faces significant disruption, the Stade de France, located in the northern suburb of Saint-Denis, remains the focal point for the NFL's operations. The alternative retail options there are expected to serve the travelling fan base.

The meeting at the Élysée Palace underscored the importance of this event to both the NFL and the French government. Both parties are keen to ensure that the game proceeds successfully despite the current social climate in the country.

The NFL's expansion into Europe has been a key pillar of its recent growth. Playing in Paris represents a significant milestone, even if the surrounding fan festivities have been curtailed by the current security alert and protest activity.

Tourists in Paris have been navigating a city that looks very different this weekend. While the Louvre and Orsay Museum are closed, many visitors were still seen queuing at Notre Dame Cathedral, showing a mix of caution and continued tourism.

The NFL has been communicating updates to fans through its digital platforms, specifically the "OnePass" app. This has been the primary channel for informing ticket holders about the changes to the scheduled fan programming throughout the weekend.

The Steelers and Saints are both preparing for the game under unusual circumstances. Players and staff have been briefed on the security situation, with the league maintaining a constant dialogue with local law enforcement to ensure a safe environment.

As the city prepares for Sunday, the focus shifts to the Stade de France. The NFL remains committed to delivering the game, hoping that the security measures in place will allow the event to proceed without further incident.