Troubled France crashed out of the World Cup on Tuesday, losing 2-1 to South Africa, who also saw their hopes extinguished in a high-octane encounter in Bloemfontein.

The 1998 world champions came into the match in turmoil after a bust-up following the expulsion of star striker Nicolas Anelka from the squad for a foul-mouthed outburst at coach Raymond Domenech.

France, reduced to 10 men midway through the first half, conceded two first-half goals to the Bafana Bafana, who despite their victory became the first host nation to crash out at the first stage of a World Cup.

Domenech saw his six-year reign come to an end and admitted he wished his side had played with as much spirit in their first two matches after a campaign marred by in-fighting and a players' strike over the expulsion of Anelka.

"They showed real heart, real fight, real generosity of spirit out there today, it is what I was looking for" said 58-year-old Domenech, who got involved in a verbal altercation with opposite number Carlos Alberto Parreira at the final whistle.

"However, there was a low blow (the sending-off of Yoan Gourcuff) and when things don't go for you they just don't go for you."

"I love the France team. It will not die, it will continue forever. It has all the ingredients to succeed," he added.

He flatly refused to address the question of the altercation with Parreira at the end of the match.

Parreira said one of Domenech's assistants had told him the reason Domenech did not shake his hand was due to negative comments about France after Thierry Henry scored the controversial handball goal that put them in the finals.

But Parreira, who said he did not remember making those comments, said he was proud of his South African team.

"We are disappointed that we didn't qualify but I do not consider this a failure," he said, adding the country was proud of the achievements.

South Africa took the lead on 20 minutes when Bongani Khumalo rose highest to head in a corner from the left swung in by Siphiwe Tshabalala, sparking scenes of joy among the yellow-clad fans.

The contest was given a dramatic twist midway through the first half when Gourcuff was sent off for using his elbow against MacBeth Sibaya with Domenech burying his face in his hands.

And the Bafana Bafana doubled their lead on 37 minutes when Katlego Mphela poked the ball past Hugo Lloris after France failed to clear.

France threw on Florent Malouda for Andre Pierre Gignac at the start of the second half but the momentum was with South Africa, with Steven Pienaar directing play from midfield and Tshabalala terrorising the French defence.

Early in the second half Mphela went desperately close to extending South Africa's lead after a pass from Tshabalala but it hit the woodwork with the goalkeeper beaten.

Djibril Cisse lashed a shot over from the edge of the penalty box moments before Henry was brought on to replace him.

Mphela, who looked increasingly dangerous, then forced Lloris into a save from the edge of the box as the atmosphere in the stadium reached fever pitch and South Africa seemed certain to add to their tally amid intense pressure.

But France shocked the crowd when Malouda scored with 70 minutes on the clock, making Bafana Bafana's task almost impossible and the French were able to take the sting out of the game despite being a man down.

In a desperate last push Tshabalala went close but South Africa's World Cup dreams were snuffed out.

To squeeze into the last 16, France and South Africa were hoping to win by a big margin and for a positive result from the Uruguay-Mexico match.

That match ended in a Uruguay win with Mexico going through on goal difference ahead of South Africa.

France and South Africa made sweeping changes to their starting line-ups as they went in search of goals.

Domenech left captain Patrice Evra out of the team following the bust-up over the expulsion of Anelka.

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