Faf says Dupont one of many French threats: 'We can't just be worried about him'

In Toulon

Springbok scrumhalf Faf de Klerk acknowledged that crack French halfback Antoine Dupont is just one of many threats the hosts will pose when they meet at the Stade Velodrome in Marseille on Saturday.

Dupont has been on the losing side in each of the three Tests he's played against the Springboks, but he's a far different player from the nippy scrumhalf the Boks experienced back in 2018.

He's not only grown to become France's best, but the world's best after he won the 2021 Men's World Rugby Player of the Year award.

The only accolade missing for him and the bulk of his teammates is a scalp against the Boks as they haven't beaten them since 2009.

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De Klerk admitted that Australia had a plan that worked for Dupont, but the Boks' different defensive approach means they'll do things differently in Marseille.

"If I get the chance to get close to him, I'll try whatever I can to stop him. We do have a different defensive system," De Klerk said.

"I think they may have told Nick White to take care of him, but we're sticking to our system and once we get the opportunity to stop him, I will do my best.

"In general play, we're not always going to be close to each other, so it's going to be a team effort to ensure he's taken care of.

"However, when you look at their side, we can't just be worried about him. They have other strengths that we need to take care of."

15 Willie le Roux, 14 Cheslin Kolbe, 13 Jesse Kriel, 12 Damian de Allende, 11 Kurt-Lee Arendse, 10 Damian Willemse, 9 Faf de Klerk, 8 Jasper Wiese, 7 Pieter-Steph du Toit, 6 Siya Kolisi (captain), 5 Franco Mostert, 4 Eben Etzebeth, 3 Frans Malherbe, 2 Bongi Mbonambi, 1 Ox Nche

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