Boks on red alert for Les Bleus’ Dupont

Published on

Faf de Klerk is relying on the Springbok pack to help him contain world-class France halfback Antoine Dupont in Saturday’s Test. DYLAN JACK reports.

Dupont has been among the in-form scrumhalves for the last few years and was deservedly named Player of the Year for 2021. He was also named Six Nations Player of the Year for his role in helping France win the Grand Slam earlier this year.

MORE: Libbok given licence to thrill on debut

“It’s fair to say that. He is the player of the year, so he has to be,” De Klerk said when asked whether Dupont was the best scrumhalf in the world.

“Speaking to Cheslin Kolbe back in 2018, Antoine was already playing extremely well for his club.

“If you look at the way France play, they want to keep their forwards extremely close to him. They don’t play a lot off 10. They make sure their big ball carriers get around the corner, get them front foot ball, which opens up holes for Antoine.

“He is extremely quick and quite strong as well,” added the Bok scrumhalf. “We will need to be on top of our game around that. We have clever forwards around the rucks who can sort that out.”

MORE: Kitshoff eyes memorable end to Stormers career

De Klerk said the Springboks have taken notes of how the Wallabies managed to put Dupont off his game last weekend.

“Looking back on last week’s game, I saw Australia put him under quite a bit of pressure. So you can get to him.

“He is playing in a great side. He is full of confidence. It’s been all up-and-up for him. Hopefully we can put him under pressure, put him on the back foot and give him something that he isn’t used to yet. Still, it’s not going to be easy to stop him.”

MORE: Bok icon tells AWJ to call it a day

Saturday’s Test in Marseille will be just De Klerk’s fourth start in what has been a 2022 campaign disrupted by injury and the emergence of Jaden Hendrikse.

“It means a hell of a lot. This year has been up and down for me,” the 31-year-old said. “You get that realisation of what the jersey means to you. Playing off the bench, I had a different role and we are all here to play for the team, so wherever I am needed, I will do that job.

“To get the starting spot really does mean a lot. It’s up to me to keep pushing for the jersey going forward.”

OPINION: Willemse to bounce back, roast Roosters

Photo: Getty Images

Post by

Dylan Jack