JUST IN: France name side to play Springboks: Antoine Dupont returns!
France coach Fabien Galthié has named his match-day 23 to face South Africa in their Rugby World Cup 2023 quarter-final on Sunday.
France head coach Fabien Galthié has named his match-day 23 to face South Africa in their Rugby World Cup 2023 quarter-final at the Stade de France on Sunday.
Kick-off is at 21:00 (SA time).
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Galthié has made just one change to his starting XV that defeated Italy 60-7 in the last last game, with captain Antoine Dupont returning just 24 days after fracturing his jaw against Namibia in Marseille.
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Galthié has named a 6-2 split of forwards and backs on the bench for the second time this tournament.
Twelve of the starting XV who defeated South Africa in Marseille in 2022 have been named again this time.
Damian Penaud has scored the most tries of any player in 2023 so far with 14.
He is currently enjoying a seven-game try-scoring streak, the longest of his career. He is the top try-scorer at Rugby World Cup 2023 with six after the pool rounds. He is three short of setting a new tournament record.
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In his 20th Test as captain, Antoine Dupont is yet to lose a match on home soil. He captained France to their first win against the Springboks in 13 years in 2022.
TEAMS
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, 8 Duane Vermeulen, 7 Pieter-Steph du Toit, 6 Siya Kolisi (captain), 5 Franco Mostert, 4 Eben Etzebeth, 3 Frans Malherbe, 2 Bongi Mbonambi, 1 Steven Kitshoff
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
France
15 Thomas Ramos, 14 Damian Penaud, 13 Gael Fickou, 12 Jonathan Danty, 11 Louis Bielle-Biarrey, 10 Matthieu Jalibert, 9 Antoine Dupont (captain), 8 Gregory Alldritt, 7 Charles Ollivon, 6 Anthony Jelonch, 5 Thibaud Flament, 4 Cameron Woki, 3 Uini Atonio, 2 Peato Mauvaka, 1 Cyril Baille
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