Dupont returns for France’s ‘magnificent’ opportunity against South Africa at Rugby World Cup

A broken cheekbone won’t keep France captain Antoine Dupont out of a definitive game for his country at the Rugby World Cup.

Wearing a protective scrum cap, Dupont will return from injury to lead the host team in a quarterfinal against defending champion South Africa on Sunday. France coach Fabien Galthie has described it as a “magnificent” opportunity that will spark “pleasure, joy, happiness and determination” in a French team seeking a long-awaited first title and relishing the chance to seize it on home soil.

Forward Charles Ollivon anticipates something else given France’s last, brutal meeting with the Springboks in November.

“Violent is the right word,” Ollivon said. “We’re expecting the same kind of match.”

In the bigger scheme, it’s only a last-eight game and whoever wins at Stade de France is still two massive matches from lifting the Rugby World Cup.

But the confidence-boosting potential for either contender is huge. France can beat the defending champion for a resounding follow-up to its opening-game victory over New Zealand. The Springboks can take down the home team in front of an expected 78,srcsrcsrc baying French fans on the outskirts of Paris.

“We’re always nervous before this kind of match,” Galthie said. “It would be a lie to say there’s no tension. That’s what makes these moments so special.”

Dupont’s return completes France, which has its leader and the best player in the world back after his tournament — and some of France’s hopes — were rocked by a head-on-head tackle by Namibia’s Johan Deysel in a pool game three weeks ago. Dupont sustained a broken cheekbone on the right side of his face, was rushed into surgery the next day, and was cleared to return to full-