French rugby president Bernard Laporte has backed Guy Noves to remain as coach of the national team despite falling to a 3-0 series defeat to the Springboks in South Africa.
The series whitewash was the fifth defeat for France in eight Tests this year, while his overall record in charge of France fell to seven victories and 11 defeats in 18 matches.
"Guy Noves has my support but I cannot accept that we are now ranked as the eighth best rugby nation in the world," Laporte told Le Parisien. "Our objective must now be clear, to win three of our four tests in November."
The 35-12 defeat at Ellis Park on Saturday saw the Springboks surpass the 100 points mark scored for the series, in which France managed to score four tries. They face South Africa, Japan and New Zealand -- with a second Test between the two teams rumoured -- in November.
"You learn that this level that the slightest mistake is expensive. What is certain is that at halftime, we are still in the game. We are at the end of our season and there was a difference in the physical condition and freshness.
"We will leave with the suitcases full of points we need to work on, but it is obvious the players need a holiday. But we will look at the positive elements and I don't think the gap is too big. I think that in November, with the work we did here in South Africa, that we will progress a little bit."