Martin Lange, edited by Philippe Folgado / Photo credits: ANNE-CHRISTINE POUJOULAT / AFP
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8:15 a.m., October 14, 2023
All rugby supporters, and more specifically the French XV, finally have the answer to the question they have been asking themselves for three weeks. Antoine Dupont will be on the pitch to face South Africa for the quarter-finals of the Rugby World Cup on Sunday. Moreover, he will even be a starter.
The captain of the French XV will be on the pitch to face South Africa in the quarter-final of the Rugby World Cup on Sunday. Antoine Dupont will wear number 9 this Sunday for his 52nd selection in the Blues jersey. A small miracle, just three weeks after his fractured cheekbone which had led to fears of forfeiting the rest of the competition.
“I feel very good”
“At the time, I didn’t know the seriousness of my injury. So I thought that the competition was over for me. If I’m playing, it’s because all the lights are green, because I had the approval from the surgeon. No decision was forced, today, I feel very good,” confides Antoine Dupont. To protect himself against the rough South Africans, the reigning world champions, the scrum half should wear a helmet. A recommendation that comes from his surgeon.
“It’s a choice from the surgeon who more than offered it to me. So I tested it this week, I have no discomfort, it doesn’t hinder my vision. So based on that, I left to put it on.” Antoine Dupont, who regains his status as captain, has a little revenge to take on the Springboks. During their last confrontation, a year ago in Marseille, he had to leave his partners at the very start of the second half, sent off for a dangerous tackle.