Antoine Dupont delivered a masterclass performance in Durban, leading his Toulouse team to victory despite challenging conditions. His skillful playmaking, relentless energy, and leadership were instrumental in overcoming a determined South African side. Dupont's performance solidified his status as one of the world's best scrumhalves and a true rugby gladiator.
It was muggy, sweaty and messy out at King's Park, but le petit général Antoine Dupont didn't give a damn. He stated that South Africa showed him little love this week, even less acclaim, but he responded as only he knows how – with a flourish. It wasn't a day for grand gestures or sublime rugby, but he produced enough panache to demonstrate why he belongs at rugby's top table.
In his 50th Champions Cup appearance for his beloved Toulouse, Dupont orchestrated matters with his usual harrying, hurried style. There were clever dinks over the top and long kicks both right and left all afternoon, a shrewd tactic on a day when the ball played like a bar of soap. Alas, they didn't, and they were left chasing shadows as Dupont, Emile Ntamack, Thomas Ramos and Peato Mauvaka ripped large chunks out of them. It was the scrumhalf's short inside pass that freed up 145kg Emmanuel Meafou for the first try and he continued to be central to almost every attack by the six-time champions. He made several bursts, most memorably halfway through the first 40 minutes only to have receiver Ntamack fluff what should have been a comfortable score. The blot on Dupont, from a narrow South African view, was that he had only ever produced the goods at home. It's true that he last played in South Africa eight years ago, coming on as a replacement in his Test debut in Durban, but to somehow diminish his virtues on the basis of playing primarily at home is churlish. He is the heart of this Toulouse team and it showed in his game management and volume despite conditions better suited for the nearby beach. He gained more metres than anyone and stayed busy and involved even as the heat took its toll, his famous face taking on a hangdog look. Inevitably, he made errors – there were two knock-ons and Makazole Mapimpi memorably ripped a ball off him – but the rest of his play was so sumptuous, these errors hardly mattered. More's the pity the prevailing local sentiment was that Dupont was a whinger who doesn't deserve acclaim. As the final whistle by Luke Pearce blew, it was clear that in the sweltering heat of Durban, Dupont had once again proven that true gladiators thrive not in comfort, but in the crucible of challenge
RUGBY CHAMPIONS CUP ANTOINE DUPONT TOULOUSE SOUTH AFRICA GLADIATOR PERFORMANCE HEAT
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