Mapimpi OUT of the World Cup, Rassie Erasmus confirms
Makazole Mapimpi is expected to be out for four to six weeks, says Rssie Erasmus. Lukhany Am is likely to be his replacement.
Springbok winger Makazole Mapimpi will not take any part in the 2023 World Cup having fractured his eye socket in Saturday’s match against Tonga.
The 2019 World Cup hero was forced off the pitch during the latter stages of the Boks‘ final Pool match.
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Mapimpi’s face was swollen following a high tackle from Tonga’s Augustine Pulu. The referee instructed the Boks star to leave the pitch and undergo a head injury assessment. He was replaced by Jesse Kriel for the remainder of the match which the Springboks won 49-18.
Mapimpi to return home after injury
SA Rugby Director of Rugby Rassie Erasmus said on Monday that Mapimpi would return home after suffering a tournament-ending injury in the match and that they would announce a replacement in the next few days.
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“We are sad for Mapimpi,” said Erasmus. “He fractured his eye socket and cheek bone, so he’ll be out for four to six weeks. We’ll miss him as a player and what he brings to the team off the field. But if we get to the final, we’ll fly him and Malcolm Marx back,”he said.
Boks centre Lukhanyo Am is tipped to replace Mapimpi.
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“If Makazole Mapimpi is out of the tournament because of this fractured cheek, then only logical replacement is to fly Lukhanyo Am to France, there’s 2 weeks to get him into speed for the quarterfinals,” @Thabile_Zukile said in a tweet.