Antoine Dupont returns from injury as France name powerful team

French head coach Fabien Galthié has named his side to take on the Springboks in the Rugby World Cup quarter-final at Stade de France on Sunday, 15 October (21:00 CET).

Scrum-half Antoine Dupont returns from injury, just 24 days after fracturing his jaw against Namibia, to captain the side as his team look to progress into the semi finals of their home tournament.

He is the only change to the starting XV that defeated Italy 60-7 in France's last last game.

For just the second time in the tournament, coach Galthié has named a 6-2 split of forwards and backs on the bench.

Anthony Jelonch retains his place in the back row with Francois Cros one of the six forwards on the bench.

FRANCE TEAM TO PLAY SOUTH AFRICA 

1 Cyril Baille

2 Peato Mauvaka

3 Uini Atonio

4 Cameron Woki

5 Thibaud Flament

6 Anthony Jelonch

7 Charles Ollivon

8 Gregory Alldritt

9 Antoine Dupont (c)

10 Matthieu Jalibert

11 Louis Bielle-Biarrey

12 Jonathan Danty

13 Gael Fickou

14 Damian Penaud

15 Thomas Ramos

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

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.

Ahead of his first test at Stade de France, fellow wing Louis Bielle-Biarrey has scored four tries in three games at RWC 2023.

Fullback 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.

Earlier today, South Africa named their team, with a fairly surprising halfback combination: