'The complete package': Antoine Dupont gives Boks a gritty lesson
REACTION: France captain Antoine Dupont said that beating Rugby World Cup holders South Africa 21-19 was important to show that his side are capable of grinding out victories when it matters.
Dupont’s outfit held off a stirring second-half Springbok comeback in Paris to remain top of the Northern Hemisphere table in the Nations Championship, having come into the fixture as underdogs.
The scrumhalf, who turns 31 on Sunday, put in a player of the match performance as Les Bleus kept out the visitors with a last-gasp defensive effort, succeeding where they had failed in a World Cup quarterfinal lost by a single point three years ago.
“In the head, it’s important to win matches that count, that are tough, that go down to the last minute,” Dupont told broadcaster TF1.
“It shows the mentality of the team that never gave in, even if we had it hard on our line,” the 2021 World Rugby player of the year added.
L’exaltation des Bleus au coup de sifflet final 🤩
#XVdeFrance https://t.co/lV0nDhuSPI
— France Rugby (@FranceRugby) November 13, 2026
Dupont was named to start the game at flyhalf for the first time in international rugby, with France down to their fifth-choice playmaker after Romain Ntamack’s injury in last weekend’s win over Fiji.
Despite wearing the No.10 jersey, Toulouse’s Dupont featured in his regular scrumhalf position with Maxime Lucu in the nine shirt but deputising for Ntamack.
Head coach Fabien Galthie paid tribute to his captain, joking that he had been all over the pitch playing in several positions.
He even helped hold up South African flanker Pieter-Steph du Toit over the line to deny South Africa a try and won a crucial turnover to see out the game.
“Sometimes I call him a good back rower; he doesn’t like that much, but he was a good back rower today,” said Galthie.
“He played at nine, a little bit of 10, and a good six.
“And he kicked well. A six who can kick as well – the complete package.
“He doesn’t want to play at hooker, but if you ask me, he played a bit in every position.
“He nailed his match; he wanted to do that.”
La joie est transportée jusqu’aux vestiaires 🥳
#XVdeFrance https://t.co/MAwF6YX9Lw
— France Rugby (@FranceRugby) November 13, 2026
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