With one metal plate, a scrum-cap and 21 days of recovery, Antoine Dupont and his jaw are officially ready for the knockout stage of the World Cup.

At 5ft 9in, Dupont regularly defies the laws of rugby physics with his freakish strength, as demonstrated in the Six Nations when he dragged Ireland’s Mack Hansen back over the tryline in Dublin.

But coming up against a huge Springbok pack, who live and breathe for big collisions, is it wise to play his normal game given the severity of his injury?

“In these matches there is always pain, physical or mental. We have to be ready to suffer. If we’re not ready for this, we won’t go where we want to go,” Dupont said.

“It [the injury] shows that I’ve gained experience and that I know how to adapt to the opponent and to what’s in front of me.

“If there’s less space in front of me, it’s because there’s more elsewhere. We have to adapt to what’s on offer and look for space wherever we can find it.”

In the British and Irish Lions’ first Test against New Zealand in 2005, Lions captain Brian O’Driscoll was spear-tackled off the ball after just 41 seconds, ruling him out of the series.

Four years later in the series against South Africa, Ruan Pienaar picked out O’Driscoll from kick-off before centre Jean de Villiers left a slight shoulder on the Irishman as he cleared the ball.

It’s a reminder that star players get targeted on the big occasions.

South Africa fly-half Manie Libbok could be the man in charge of the opening kick-off in Paris on Sunday, and if he sends the ball towards Dupont, you can be sure the whole of France will hold its breath.

Flanker Charles Ollivon reflected on his side’s “violent” encounter with the world champions last November, but added there will be “no particular strategy” to protect their captain, who was sent off in the victory for taking out Cheslin Kolbe in the air.

“We’re expecting the same kind of match. We know the South African style,” Ollivon said.

“Once they’re in the game, they just keep rolling out the steamroller. They’re not going to change. We’ll be ready.”

‘Every game is a highlight reel with a magic moment’

Remarkably, when the Toulouse scrum-half sat out the victory over Italy, it was only the third time he has not featured in the French team since his debut at the 2017 Six Nations.

Scrum-half Maxime Lucu impressed in the 60-7 win, with the 30-year-old seemlessly slotting in alongside his Bordeaux Begles half-back partner Matthieu Jalibert.

However, Dupont, the 2021 World Rugby player of the year and back-to-back Six Nations player of the tournament, is on a different level to other scrum-halves in world rugby.

“World player of the year, if you have that title you’re a special player,” said Springbok scrum-half Cobus Reinach, who will be Dupont’s opposite number on Sunday.

“Every game is a highlight reel with a magic moment, a cross kick or a pass or pulling someone back over the tryline.”

Jalibert, who has grown into the starting France number 10 jersey following the pre-tournament injury of Romain Ntamack, added that Dupont gives the whole team “confidence”.

The 26-year-old will be playing his 20th Test as captain and is yet to lose a match on home soil in the role.

“We know he’s capable of making a big difference, and that he inspires fear in opponents,” the fly-half added.

“It gives us more space around him. It’s always an asset to have him with us. Even if he’s wearing a scrum-cap, he’s at 100% of his ability.”

Former France flanker Olivier Magne says there is a “level of danger” with such an early return and hopes team staff have been vigilant in their processes.

“There’s a problem with the message it sends out to the general public by allowing a player back after such a serious injury,” said Magne.

“All the lights are green and I have the surgeon’s approval,” Dupont explained. “There was no forced decision. We respected the deadlines.”

Whether the decision is right or wrong, it may divide opinion.

If the first kick-off does land in Dupont’s hands, his actions may show just how ready he really is.

Line-ups

France: Ramos; Penaud, Fickou, Danty, Bielle-Biarrey; Jalibert, Dupont (capt); Baille, Mauvaka, Atonio, Woki, Flament, Jelonch, Ollivon, Alldritt.

Replacements: Bourgarit, Wardi, Aldegheri, Taofifenua, Cros, Macalou, Lucu, Moefana.

South Africa: Willemse; Arendse, Kriel, De Allende, Kolbe; Libbok, Reinach; Kitshoff, Mbonambi, Malherbe, Etzebeth, Mostert, Kolisi (capt), Du Toit, Vermeulen.

Replacements: Fourie, Nche, Koch, Snyman, Smith, De Klerk, Pollard, Le Roux.

Referee: Ben O’Keeffe (New Zealand) TMO: Brendon Pickerill (New Zealand)