Antoine Dupont is “100 percent” ready for France’s Rugby World Cup quarter-final against South Africa, according to forwards coach William Servat.
He has been training this week wearing a headguard.
“Antoine is doing very well, he needed to recuperate,” said Servat.
“He’s been involved in the team’s strategic choices and the changes we’re making to the game. Today [Wednesday] he was even more involved. He’s back with us and he’s very active in training.
“For a number of years now, Antoine has been one of France’s best players in defence.
“Antoine is at 100 percent of his capacities. There’s no reason to shake things up, whatever happens.”
France are set to name their team for Sunday’s quarter-final against South Africa on Friday.
France finished top of Pool A after four wins from four games, while defending champions South Africa finished behind Ireland in Pool B.
France forward Gregory Alldritt is not worried that Dupont could be at risk against South Africa due to his recent injury.
“We know that in rugby, if you touch the head, it’s a red card,” said Alldritt.
“He (Dupont) saw his surgeon, who gave him the green light.
“Antoine is an intelligent, sensible person. If he says he can play again, it’s because he’s fully fit.”
Dupont is yet to lose on home soil since taking over as captain in November 2021.
However, South Africa should prove a formidable test as they look to retain the Webb Ellis Cup.
“We’ve worked hard on this for four years,” said Alldritt.
“We’ve played some big games, both with our clubs and with the French national team.
“The opening match [against New Zealand] was complicated, but we were ahead by half-time. I hope it’ll be the same this weekend.
“We’re coming down the home straight. We want to enjoy ourselves, have a lot of fun and finish this competition with no regrets.
“We’re making progress match by match, but so are they. We know how they’re going to play. Their DNA, their rugby, is based on physicality. It’s up to us to put in more intensity than usual for 80 minutes. As we saw in Marseille, they’re a team that stays in the game for 80 minutes. We’ve been warned.”
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