Captain Dupont to start - France name team to play South Africa in ...

France head coach Fabien Galthié has named his match-day 23 to face South Africa in their Rugby World Cup 2023 quarter-final at Stade de France on Sunday. Scrum-half Antoine Dupont returns after injury to captain the hosts. Anthony Jelonch retains his place in the back row with Francois Cros one of six forwards on the bench.

1 Cyril Baille2 Peato Mauvaka3 Uini Atonio4 Cameron Woki5 Thibaud Flament6 Anthony Jelonch7 Charles Ollivon8 Gregory Alldritt9 Antoine Dupont (c)10 Matthieu Jalibert11 Louis Bielle-Biarrey12 Jonathan Danty13 Gael Fickou14 Damian Penaud15 Thomas Ramos

Replacements:16 Pierre Bourgarit17 Reda Wardi18 Dorian Aldegheri19 Romain Taofifenua20 Francois Cros21 Sekou Macalou22 Maxime Lucu23 Yoram Moefana

Head coach Fabien 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. 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 RWC 2023 with six after the pool rounds. He is three short of setting a new tournament record. Fellow wing Louis Bielle-Biarrey has scored four tries in three games at RWC 2023. This will be his first test at Stade de France. Thomas Ramos is the top points scorer at RWC 2023 with 61, with success rate of 86%. 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.

Last updated: Oct 13, 2023, 9:58:10 AM