{"id":290590,"date":"2023-10-09T10:24:38","date_gmt":"2023-10-09T10:24:38","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/sportsloveme.com\/?p=290590"},"modified":"2023-10-09T10:24:38","modified_gmt":"2023-10-09T10:24:38","slug":"antoine-dupont-cleared-to-return-as-france-receive-major-boost-for-south-africa-quarter-final","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/sportsloveme.com\/rugby-union\/antoine-dupont-cleared-to-return-as-france-receive-major-boost-for-south-africa-quarter-final\/","title":{"rendered":"Antoine Dupont cleared to return as France receive major boost for South Africa quarter-final"},"content":{"rendered":"
Antoine Dupont is set to return for France\u2019s <\/p>\n
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Antoine Dupont appears set to feature in France\u2019s quarter final against South Africa after being cleared to return to training.<\/p>\n
Dupont has been sidelined since suffering a fractured cheekbone in France\u2019s World Cup pool stage win over Namibia, rejoining the squad last week after undergoing surgery.<\/p>\n
The hosts\u2019 captain has now been cleared by doctors to resume training in a major boost to Fabien Galthie\u2019s side ahead of a last eight meeting with the defending champions.<\/p>\n
France topped Pool A and take on the Springboks in Paris on Sunday evening.<\/p>\n
\u201cFollowing his medical visit planned today with the surgeon who previously operated on him, Antoine Dupont obtained authorization to resume rugby training today,\u201d a statement from the French rugby federation confirmed on Monday.<\/p>\n
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Maxime Lucu, Dupont\u2019s deputy, impressed in the bonus point victory over Italy on Friday night that sealed top spot in Pool A, combining well in the halves with club colleague Matthieu Jalibert.<\/p>\n
But if Dupont is even close to full fitness, head coach Galthie is all but certain to return his skipper and star to the starting side.<\/p>\n
There is doubt, however, over hooker Julien Marchand\u2019s potential involvement in the quarter-final.<\/p>\n
Marchand has not featured since suffering a hamstring injury early in France\u2019s opening game against New Zealand, and did not return as anticipated against Italy after a set-back in his recovery.<\/p>\n
Peato Mauvaka has performed well in his stead in the heart of the front row, with Pierre Bouragarit offering high-quality back-up from the bench, but Marchand has been a key figure over the last few years.<\/p>\n
Galthie will confirm his team for the last eight meeting on Friday.<\/p>\n
France beat South Africa in their most recent meeting last November in Marseille, surviving Dupont\u2019s second-half dismissal after tackling Cheslin Kolbe dangerously in the air.<\/p>\n