Dupont 'very active' in training as he targets return v South Africa

France captain Antoine Dupont remains in contention to be involved in Sunday's World Cup quarter-final against South Africa after being "very active" since returning to training this week.

The 2021 world player of the year has been sidelined for the past three weeks since suffering a fractured cheekbone after a head-on-head tackle from Namibia captain Johan Deysel in Les Bleus’ third pool match in Marseille on 21 September.

Dupont, 26, who underwent surgery on the injury, was cleared on Monday to return to full training with a view to potentially playing in Sunday’s box-office Stade de France showdown with world champions South Africa.

"We’ve been talking for two weeks now, Antoine is doing very well," said forwards coach William Servat, providing the latest update on the French talisman’s status at a media briefing at Roland Garros on Wednesday afternoon.

"He needed to recuperate. He’s been involved in the team’s strategic choices and the changes we’re making to the game. Today, he was even more involved. He’s back with us and he’s very active in training."

France head coach Fabien Galthie is due to announce his matchday squad to face the Springboks on Friday morning after discussions with the influential scrum-half over whether or not he feels ready to make himself available for such a high-stakes match.

Bordeaux’s Maxime Lucu deputised in the number nine jersey for their final Pool A match, a 60-7 victory over Italy on Friday.

Servat (above) dismissed any notion that France might have to alter their defensive plans to compensate for any concerns about Dupont’s jaw if he is selected to face the ferociously physical Springboks this weekend.

"Antoine is one of the best defenders in the team and he’s at 100%," said Servat.