Kolisi: Springboks will not change plans for Dupont at flyhalf

Springbok captain Siya Kolisi has played down France’s decision to move Antoine Dupont to flyhalf, saying the South Africans will keep to the system that has served them well. The Citizen reported his comments on the eve of the Nations Championship Test in Paris.

Why Dupont is at flyhalf

Dupont normally plays scrumhalf, but he has been named at No 10 for the match on Friday night, which kicks off at 10.10pm. Romain Ntamack hurt his shoulder in the match against Fiji, which France won 54-17. Other options in that position, Matthieu Jalibert, Antoine Hastoy and Thomas Ramos, are all unavailable. Maxime Lucu keeps the No 9 jersey.

Dupont is the only player to have been named World Rugby Player of the Year in both the fifteen-a-side game and Sevens.

Kolisi: “nothing new”

Kolisi said the Boks have seen Dupont in the role before. He pointed out that the player turned out at flyhalf for his club, Toulouse, several times in 2024. In Kolisi’s view, he is good enough to handle it.

The captain added that changing positions because of injuries is a normal part of rugby. He said the Springboks have done the same, using André Esterhuizen in the forwards. “It’s normal in rugby, nothing new,” he said.

The Boks have studied footage of Dupont at flyhalf, but Kolisi said they have not prepared anything special for him as an individual. “Our system doesn’t change for any team,” he said. He added that Lucu and Dupont might swap roles during the match, and that South Africa would adjust if that happens.

What is at stake

Both sides lead their hemisphere tables going into the second-last round before the Finals Weekend. South Africa have won all four of their matches. France’s only defeat was a narrow loss away to New Zealand in the first round in July.

The teams last met a year ago, when Kolisi played his 100th Test. The Springboks trailed 17-13 after 58 minutes. They then won 32-17, even though they were a player short for part of the final quarter after French wing Louis Bielle-Biarrey was yellow-carded. South Africa scored twice while he was off the field and added a third try afterwards.

What it means for fans

Fans in South Africa will need to stay up late, as the Test starts at 10.10pm on Friday. Next weekend the Boks face Ireland, while France host Argentina, so both teams will want a win in Paris to stay on course for the Finals Weekend.

This story is based on reporting by The Citizen.