11 November 2026
PARIS — France coach Fabien Galthié has selected captain Antoine Dupont at flyhalf for Friday’s Nations Championship Test against South Africa at the Stade de France.
Injuries have ruled out four frontline number 10 options: Romain Ntamack, Matthieu Jalibert, Antoine Hastoy, and Thomas Ramos. While Maxime Lucu replaced Ntamack at flyhalf during last weekend's 54–17 victory over Fiji, Galthié has reversed their roles for the Springboks encounter.
Dupont has started at flyhalf eight times for his club Toulouse, most recently in 2024, but this marks his first Test start in the position.
Speaking at a press conference on Wednesday, Galthié explained that the tactical switch was made to bring stability to the backline.
Grégory Alldritt returns at number eight after a one-year break, pushing François Cros to blindside flank, while hooker Julien Marchand replaces Maxime Lamothe. France has opted for a six-two bench split, featuring 22-year-old uncapped flyhalf Axel Desperes.
Galthié highlighted the intense physical challenge awaiting his side against the Springboks. Kick-off is set for Friday, 13 November at 22:10 SAST.
France Matchday Squad: 15 Théo Attissogbe, 14 Aaron Grandidier-Nkanang, 13 Kalvin Gourgues, 12 Yoram Moefana, 11 Louis Bielle-Biarrey, 10 Antoine Dupont (c), 9 Maxime Lucu, 8 Grégory Alldritt, 7 Cameron Woki, 6 François Cros, 5 Mickaël Guillard, 4 Florian Verhaeghe, 3 Sipili Falatea, 2 Julien Marchand, 1 Jean-Baptiste Gros. Replacements: 16 Peato Mauvaka, 17 Rodrigue Neti, 18 Régis Montagne, 19 Charles Ollivon, 20 Tom Staniforth, 21 Esteban Capilla, 22 Axel Desperes, 23 Émilien Gailleton.