Antoine Dupont, France scrum-half and captain, has been named to start out vs the Springboks on the Stade de France in Sunday’s Rugby World Cup quarter-final (8pm kick-off BST); Dupont suffered a fractured cheekbone vs Namibia on September 21, however has made outstanding restoration after surgical procedure
By Michael Cantillon
Final Up to date: 13/10/23 11:19am
Antoine Dupont will begin for France vs South Africa in Sunday’s Rugby World Cup quarter-final
France captain Antoine Dupont has been named to start out vs South Africa of their Rugby World Cup quarter-final on Sunday, a bit of over three weeks after struggling a fractured cheekbone.
His return, because the talisman and playmaker for Fabien Galthie’s aspect, is a gigantic enhance, as Les Bleus search a primary World Cup semi-final spot for 12 years.
Dupont sustained the harm in France’s Pool A win over Namibia on September 21 after being tackled excessive, with doubts then as as to whether he would have the ability to return in any respect in the course of the match.
The 26-year-old had surgical procedure in Toulouse a day later, nevertheless, and has made a outstanding restoration and return to the fray.
Elsewhere within the staff, inside-centre Jonathon Danty is match sufficient to start out, whereas 20-year-old wing Louis Bielle-Biarrey is known as to start out instead of Gabin Villiere.
Louis Bielle-Biarrey, France’s 20-year-old wing, has been named to start out forward of Gabin Villiere
The forwards are picked as anticipated, with blindside flanker Anthony Jelonch profitable his choice battle vs Francois Cros, and key back-row duo Charles Ollivon and Gregory Alldritt beginning.
Key loosehead prop Cyril Baille begins, having entered the World Cup as an harm doubt.
France: 15 Thomas Ramos, 14 Damian Penaud, 13 Gael Fickou, 12 Jonathan Danty, 11 Louis Bielle-Biarrey, 10 Matthieu Jalibert, 9 Antoine Dupont (c); 1 Cyril Baille, 2 Peato Mauvaka, 3 Uini Atonio, 4 Cameron Woki, 5 Thibaud Flament, 6 Anthony Jelonch, 7 Charles Ollivon, 8 Gregory Alldritt.
Replacements: 16 Pierre Bourgarit, 17 Reda Wardi, 18 Dorian Aldegheri, 19 Romain Taofifenua, 20 Francois Cros, 21 Sekou Macalou, 22 Maxime Lucu, 23 Yoram Moefana.
Pollard, De Klerk start on bench for Springboks; Libbok, Reinach begin
The Springboks, in the meantime, have sprung a few surprises of their XV as fly-half Handre Pollard and scrum-half Faf de Klerk begin among the many replacements, with Manie Libbok and Cobus Reinach named to start out.
Libbok has kicked dreadfully all through the World Cup from the tee up to now, and has usually handed duties to De Klerk mid-game.
South Africa scrum-half Faf de Klerk has dropped to the bench for Sunday’s conflict
Within the forwards, No 8 Duane Vermeulen replaces Cobus Wiese – who fails to make the squad – whereas the bench sees a conventional 5-3 cut up of forwards to backs named, with Willie le Roux included within the No 23 jersey.
South Africa: 15 Damian Willemse, 14 Kurt-Lee Arendse, 13 Jesse Kriel, 12 Damian de Allende, 11 Cheslin Kolbe, 10 Manie Libbok, 9 Cobus Reinach; 1 Steven Kitshoff, 2 Bongi Mbonambi, 3 Frans Malherbe, 4 Eben Etzebeth, 5 Franco Mostert, 6 Siya Kolisi (c), 7 Pieter-Steph du Toit, 8 Duane Vermeulen.
Replacements: 16 Deon Fourie, 17 Ox Nche, 18 Vincent Koch, 19 RG Snyman, 20 Kwagga Smith, 21 Faf de Klerk, 22 Handre Pollard, 23 Willie Le Roux.
Comply with France vs South Africa within the Rugby World Cup quarter-final throughout the Sky Sports activities web site and app from 7.30pm on Sunday.