The Albany Gazette - Bok prop Nche wary of Dupont threat in Champions Cup

The holders head to Durban with a full-strength team attempting to lock up a last-16 place with one game to go, next Sunday's home game with Leicester.

Dupont was rested for Toulouse's league clash with La Rochelle last weekend, but has been in fine form since returning to the 15-a-side game following his Olympic sevens gold medal in July.

"He's a special, talented player and he is a big part of how Toulouse play," Nche told reporters of the scrum-half.

"We obviously have to deal with it and not get caught with our pants around our knees.

"I mean any team in the world playing against Antoine Dupont would know exactly that you have to do a player analysis on him.

"We are definitely doing that and a few of the key players obviously."

Since South African sides joined the Champions Cup in 2022, trips between continents have been riddled with controversy.

Some clubs have sent weakened sides on lengthy journeys in both directions to prioritise player welfare, but it is not the case for this weekend's fixture.

The game, in the humid heat of Durban in January, is being tipped as a South Africa against France repeat from the epic 2023 World Cup quarter-final, with both teams stacked with Test names.

The Springboks -- Nche came on as a replacement -- edged the Dupont-led hosts 29-28 and went on to be crowned world champions.

"I mean we are full of internationals, we've played against a lot of those guys," Nche said.

"It's going to be a good challenge."

- Familiar foes collide -

Elsewhere in the Champions Cup, there is a re-run of the 2022 and 2023 finals as La Rochelle welcome Leinster to the Atlantic coast.

Last April, the Irish province had the upper hand, knocking out the then two-time defending champions in the quarter-finals.

"There's going to be an edge and there's got to be an edge," La Rochelle and Springbok winger Dillyn Leyds told AFP on Tuesday.

"They're not going to just come here and roll over, that's not what they're about.

"There's been a bit of history between the two teams but you know every season is a new season and we can't worry about trying to get revenge."

On Saturday, Northampton head to a deflated Stade Francais, six days on from their last-minute English Premiership win over league leaders Bath.

In-form Bordeaux-Begles travel to Exeter and Munster host Saracens in the other stand-out ties of the penultimate round of group games.

Fixtures (times GMT)

Friday

Pool 4: Glasgow (SCO) v Racing 92 (FRA) (2000)

Saturday

Pool 1: Exeter (ENG) v Bordeaux-Begles (FRA), Sharks (RSA) v Toulouse (FRA) (both 1515), Leicester (ENG) v Ulster (IRL) (2000)

Pool 3: Munster (IRL) v Saracens (ENG), Stade Francais (FRA) v Northampton (ENG) (both 1730), Castres (FRA) v Bulls (RSA) (2000)

Pool 4: Stormers (RSA) v Sale (ENG) (1300)

Sunday

Pool 4: Toulon (FRA) v Harlequins (ENG) (1300)

Pool 2: La Rochelle (FRA) v Leinster (IRL), Bristol (ENG) v Treviso (ITA) (1515), Bath (ENG) v Clermont (FRA) (1730)

(K.Jones--TAG)