France matched the physical power of South Africa to secure an entertaining 20-13 win and claim their fourth successive home victory over the rugby world champions.
Helped by a stiff wind, South Africa were leading 13-11 at halftime thanks to a soft try scored by captain and prop John Smit, while first five-eighth Morne Steyn added the conversion, a penalty and a dropped goal.
However, the Boks struggled in the second half with the breeze in their face and paid the price for having Steyn and No 8 Ryan Kankowksi sinbinned.
France were determined to add the scalp of the world champions to that of New Zealand after winning there in June and did so with a try by wing Vincent Clerc, four penalties from halfback Julien Dupuy and one by his replacement Morgan Parra.
"It was really a very good evening. The most satisfying thing was our control of the game, physically and tactically," said France coach Marc Lievremont.
South Africa coach Peter de Villiers was conciliatory: "The French were really on top of the game. They're the guys who deserved to win." Springboks vice-captain Victor Matfield paid tribute to the physical strength of the French forwards.
"Physicality is part of the game and most of the time the guys who win the physical battle win the game. They had more intensity than us. They were just quicker by one second in everything," he said.
"We always knew it was going to be tough coming to France where we haven't won for 12, 13 years. We knew they were very passionate at home. They came out firing." The tactics of the two teams were obvious from the start.
The Springboks were to stick to the game that led them to their World Cup triumph and this year's Tri-Nations title with Steyn and halfback Fourie du Preez launching a barrage of up-and-unders for their massive forwards to charge on to.
The French, who promised before the match they "would not be lambs for the Springbok butchers", matched the tourists' commitment at the breakdown and in the scrums from the outset.
"We wanted to answer their physical challenge," said France No 8 and man of the match Louis Picamoles.
The French were rewarded with Dupuy's first penalty in the sixth minute but slowly the power of the Springboks and their field kicking started to drive the hosts back into their own territory.
Smith was gifted his try after a bad French throw at a five-metre lineout. Steyn, who had already kicked a penalty and a dropped goal, converted and South Africa were up 13-3 on the half hour.
France replied four minutes later when a forward move on the left bounced back towards the backs deployed on the right with Vincent Clerc diving in the corner after a swift pass by centre Maxime Mermoz.
Dupuy hit the post with a penalty three minutes before the break but redeemed himself in added times from the same spot, punishing a late tackle of Steyn on Clerc, which sent the pivot to the sinbin.
After the turnaround France enjoyed most of the possession and territorial advantage and two Dupuy three-pointers had them 17-13 ahead after an hour.
Kankowski's yellow card 10 minutes from time ended South Africa's hopes and Parra sealed the win.
The final whistle was covered by the roar of the packed Stadium de Toulouse and a standing ovation followed the French in a slow lap of honour.
France face Samoa next Saturday at the Stade de France before hosting New Zealand in Marseille a week later.
South Africa, whose reserve team were beaten by English club side Leicester last week, travel to Italy before playing Six Nations champions Ireland in Dublin.
