Springbok scrumhalf Faf de Klerk says the possible return of French captain Antoine Dupont will not change their approach to the game when the two sides meet in the Rugby World Cup quarter-finals on Sunday.

Dupont fractured his cheekbone during France’s pool game against Namibia a few weeks ago, but the French Rugby Federation announced on Monday that their captain had been given the all-clear to resume training after surgery.

The fourth quarterfinal between South Africa and France will begin at 21h00 on Sunday night in front of an ardent and vocal home crowd at the Stade de France. The Springboks arrived in Paris on Monday afternoon in good spirits and eager to face France.

Speaking on the possible return of Dupont, De Klerk said: “He’s a great player and he gives the team a lot of confidence. But it doesn’t affect us he if plays or doesn’t.

“We prepare to face the team, not individuals. That said, for me personally, it’s always good to face the world’s best.

“As a team we can go back our traditional way of doing things if needs be, but we have also added additional plays to our game which we can bank on.

“So, it will go down to what is needed on the day. As a team we are in a lucky position in that regard.”

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