France captain Antoine Dupont is nearing a return to the field after suffering an injury earlier this Rugby World Cup.
The 26-year-old has been cleared to feature in training, but will he be given the green light for Les Bleus' quarterfinal clash with South Africa?
The Sporting News has the latest updates.
MORE: Rugby World Cup 2023 - Matches, results, schedule, fixtures
What is Antoine Dupont's injury?
Dupont suffered a broken cheekbone during France's 96-0 demolition of Namibia.
The scrum-half underwent surgery the next day following the head-on tackle by Johan Deysel.
He has missed one match thus far — a commanding win against Italy in Lyon which saw the hosts progress from Pool A.
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Will Antoine Dupont play against South Africa?
France will next face reigning champions South Africa in the World Cup quarterfinals, with a spot in the last four up for grabs.
Dupont has been approved to resume full-contact training ahead of the clash as the 2021 world player of the year aims to return to the field for his nation's crunch clash.
He is being assessed after every training session, with team health manager Bruno Boussagol insisting he will not be pushed back into competitive action prematurely.
"There was no fallout from his injury and he was able to rapidly increase the pace of his training sessions with the physical trainers," Boussagol told media on Monday (local time).
"For the moment he will train normally but we will do this in an intelligent manner.
"The contact and stepping it up in training will be done pretty rapidly, we have three days to test him and to see his reaction.
"After every training session, he will be assessed.
"In any case, it is unthinkable that we would take the slightest risk to bring Antoine back prematurely into the team unless he is in full possession of all his capabilities."
Dupont has trialled wearing protective headgear a scrum cap, with the team to assess whether it impacts his hearing or vision.
"All his concerns regarding his first contact session have already been analysed," the team health manager added.
"When he returned to the squad we reduced the swelling [on his cheekbone], we performed rehab on the area of his face most affected by the blow and our osteopath worked on his skull.
"Dupont has not complained of a specific pain or is undergoing any particular treatment.
"The mending of the bone is progressing normally and that is why the surgeon gave the green light [for training]."
When is France vs. South Africa? Kick-off time for Rugby World Cup quarterfinal
Host nation France will take on South Africa on Monday, October 16, with kick-off scheduled for 6:00 am AEDT.
The quarterfinal will take place at Stade de France in Paris.
