Rugby
Mapimpi's World Cup is over─── MORGAN PIEK 12:42 Mon, 02 Oct 2023
“It's sad that something like that happened. It was an accident. He has a fractured eye socket, a blow-out fracture. His eye is swollen and the cheekbone is also fractured, I think. I think he's out for four to six weeks.”
The Springboks will fly in an injury replacement ahead of their potential Rugby World Cup quarter-final in France.
On Sunday night the former Cheetahs winger, Makazole Mapimpi, was ruled out of the World Cup after suffering a cheekbone fracture during the 49-18 win against Tonga in Marseille.
The incident occurred in the 28th minute when the Tongan scrumhalf attempted to tackle Mapimpi. While there was absolutely no malicious intent by Pulu, it was surprising that only a penalty was award to the Springboks, especially considering that World Rugby placed emphasis on head injuries.
The centre, Lukhanyo Am, who got injured just before the World Cup during the warm-up Test against Argentina in Buenos Aires, who may be the man to answer the SOS call. However, it is unclear what his injury status is.
The Director of Rugby, Rassie Erasmus, confirmed a player will be called up but they have to go through the World Rugby protocol first.
“We know who we are going to call up to replace him but we first have to notify World Rugby. I'm sorry, I would love to tell you who it is,” said Erasmus.
“It's sad that something like that happened. It was an accident. He has a fractured eye socket, a blow-out fracture. His eye is swollen and the cheekbone is also fractured, I think. I think he's out for four to six weeks.
“We will not just miss him as a brilliant rugby player but what he brings to the team. There is a lot of heart, a lot of honesty. He doesn't say a lot but when he says something everybody listens. He trains hard, communicates beautifully on the field whilst he is really quiet off the field. He never moans if he is not selected and helps the young boys who get selected.
“If we get to the final, we will definitely fly him back to join the rest of us here. The same with the other guys who got injuries and went back to South Africa. It's sad but that's the game of rugby. Those collisions happen.”
Earlier in the tournament Handre Pollard was brought in as an injury replacement for Malcolm Marx. Pollard made his return to international rugby on Sunday evening against Tonga and he contributed with eight points from the kicking tee.
Morgan Piek OFM Sport
