Dupont to start at fly-half as France host South Africa
Antoine Dupont will start at fly-half for France against South Africa on Friday in Paris, in a Nations Championship match that France's coach has built around an injury-hit squad.
Fly-half is the number 10 role. It is the player who steers the attack, chooses whether to pass, kick or run, and usually takes the goal kicks. Dupont is France's captain and one of the best scrum-halves in the world, the player who passes from the base of the forwards. Moving him into the number 10 shirt is a big call, but it is not new. He filled in at fly-half for Toulouse during an injury crisis in the 2023-24 season.
France are without four players for this game: Matthieu Jalibert, Romain Ntamack, Thomas Ramos and Antoine Hastoy. Ntamack was hurt 32 minutes into France's 54-17 win over Fiji, when he suffered a shoulder injury. Maxime Lucu came off the bench to replace him. Lucu started at fly-host for Bordeaux-Begles against Gloucester last month, and he was in the frame for the number 10 shirt against South Africa. Coach Fabian Galthie chose Dupont ahead of him.
There is also a debut-style story on the wing. Aaron Grandidier-Nkanang will win his fourth cap, which is the term for an appearance for your country. He was born and raised in London and moved to France at 19. He won Olympic gold in sevens, the seven-a-side version of the game, alongside Dupont at the 2024 Games.
South Africa have made one change from the side that beat Italy 66-7. Wilco Louw comes in for Thomas du Toit. The Springboks have been the stronger side in this fixture recently, winning nine of their past 10 Tests against France.
For anyone new to the sport, the simplest way to follow this match is to watch the fly-half. When France have the ball, the question is whether Dupont keeps it at the base of the forwards or sends it wide early. When South Africa attack, the question is whether France's defence can hold the ball carriers up before they reach the line. That contest, more than any single moment, is likely to decide who controls the match.
