Toulouse star Antonio Dupont admits that memories of the 2023 Rugby World Cup quarter-final between South Africa and France will inevitably surface as his team prepares to face the Sharks in Durban on Saturday (17:15).

Dupont and his teammates are traveling to South Africa to play the third match of the Investec Champions Cup at Kings Park Stadium. The French side will encounter several South African players who were involved in the agonizing World Cup defeat against the Springboks in Paris.

South Africa edged France 29-28 in a thrilling encounter, shattering French hopes of a maiden World Cup title on home soil. Tries from Kurt-Lee Arendse, Damian de Allende, Cheslin Kolbe, and Eben Etzebeth, combined with successful kicks from Mannie Libbock and Handre Pollard, propelled the Springboks to victory.

France captain Antoine Dupont, who returned from cheekbone surgery for that game, despite his best efforts, couldn’t prevent the defeat. Les Bleus scored tries through Cyril Baille (2) and Peato Mauvaka, with Thomas Ramos adding 13 points with the boot.

“For sure, memories will come back,” said the former World Rugby player of the year on Friday’s online press conference. 

“There’s no idea of revenge with that in mind. It’s a different context now but subconsciously a small part of us will think about it. 

“We know that when they’re at home with their first-choice team they’re formidable,” the France skipper added. 

France may have an opportunity to avenge the World Cup defeat later this year during the Autumn Nations Series if these two sides are pitted against each other.

Meanwhile, the Sharks will be without key players like Etzebeth, Lukhanyo Am, Andre Esterhuizen, Aphelele Fassi, and Grant Williams (due to family bereavement), who were instrumental in South Africa’s Rugby Championship victory last year.

This clash pits the champions of Europe’s top competitions against each other. The Sharks won the Challenge Cup, while Toulouse are the reigning Champions Cup champions, with Dupont being named Player of the Tournament. Both finals were held in London.

Dupont highlighted the challenges posed by extensive travel for players participating in such competitions. “We see it’s very hard to play all the games with all the travel with your first-choice team,” Dupont said. 

“You ask questions about the logic of the competition.”