France suffered a humilating World Cup exit as they crashed to a 2-1 defeat to hosts South Africa at the Free State Stadium.
Coach Raymond Domenech dropped captain Patrice Evra and winger Florent Malouda to the bench for the vital Group A game after a week of unrest which saw the squad boycott a training session after striker Nicolas Anelka sent home.
Bordeaux midfielder Alou Diarra was handed the armband against the host nation as Domenech made six changes.
Hosts South Africa took the lead after 20 minutes when goalkeeper Hugo Lloris failed to cut out a corner from Siphiwe Tshabalala and Bongani Khumalo took advantage to score with a header at the back post.
France's troubles increased in the 26th minute when they reduced to 10 men with Gourcuff sent off by Colombian referee Oscar Ruiz for an aerial challenge on Macbeth Sibaya.
South Africa extended their lead when Katelogo Mphela clipped the ball home after being sent up by Bernard Parker with France in disarray at the back.
Malouda came off the bench to pull one back for the French, converting Franck Ribery's centre.
However, it was not enough to spark a full-on comeback, leaving the French to look back on a dismal tournament.
