Antoine Dupont Set to Return as France Captain for Rugby World Cup Quarter-Final Against South Africa

Key Highlights :

1. France captain Antoine Dupont has been named to start vs South Africa in their Rugby World Cup quarter-final on Sunday.

2. His return, as the talisman and playmaker for Fabien Galthie's side, is an enormous boost, as Les Bleus seek a first World Cup semi-final spot for 12 years.

3. Dupont sustained the injury in France's Pool A win over Namibia on September 21 after being tackled high, with doubts then as to whether he would be able to return at all during the tournament.

4. The 26-year-old had surgery in Toulouse a day later, however, and has made a remarkable recovery and return to the fray.

5. Elsewhere in the team, inside-centre Jonathon Danty is fit enough to start, while 20-year-old wing Louis Bielle-Biarrey is named to start in place of Gabin Villiere.

6. The forwards are picked as expected, with blindside flanker Anthony Jelonch winning his selection battle vs Francois Cros, and key back-row duo Charles Ollivon and Gregory Alldritt starting.

7. Key loosehead prop Cyril Baille starts, having entered the World Cup as an injury doubt.

8. France vs South Africa in the Rugby World Cup quarter-final is live across the Sky Sports website and app from 7.30pm on Sunday.

     France captain Antoine Dupont is set to make an incredible return to the starting line-up for their Rugby World Cup quarter-final against South Africa on Sunday, just over three weeks after suffering a fractured cheekbone. It is a remarkable recovery for the 26-year-old, who had surgery in Toulouse after the injury sustained in France's Pool A win over Namibia on September 21.

     Dupont's return is a huge boost for Les Bleus, who are seeking a first World Cup semi-final spot for 12 years. Inside-centre Jonathon Danty is fit enough to start, while 20-year-old wing Louis Bielle-Biarrey is named to start in place of Gabin Villiere. The forwards are picked as expected, with blindside flanker Anthony Jelonch winning his selection battle vs Francois Cros, and key back-row duo Charles Ollivon and Gregory Alldritt starting. Key loosehead prop Cyril Baille starts, having entered the World Cup as an injury doubt.

     The Springboks have sprung a couple of surprises in their XV, with fly-half Handre Pollard and scrum-half Faf de Klerk starting among the replacements and Manie Libbok and Cobus Reinach named to start. Libbok has kicked dreadfully throughout the World Cup from the tee so far, and has often handed duties to De Klerk mid-game. In the forwards, No 8 Duane Vermeulen replaces Cobus Wiese - who fails to make the squad - while the bench sees a traditional 5-3 split of forwards to backs named, with Willie le Roux included in the No 23 jersey.

     This promises to be an incredibly exciting match-up between two of the best teams in the world, with France's talismanic captain Antoine Dupont set to make his remarkable return. France will be looking to use their attacking flair and power to break down the South African defence, while the Springboks will be hoping to use their physicality and experience to overpower the French.

     Follow France vs South Africa in the Rugby World Cup quarter-final across the Sky Sports website and app from 7.30pm on Sunday.

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