Rassie Erasmus confirmed that Makazole Mapimpi has been ruled out of the rest of the World Cup through injury but did not say who the Springboks would call in as a replacement.
Mapimpi was injured in a clash of heads with scrumhalf Augustine Pulu during the Boks’ 49-18 victory over Tonga on Sunday night.
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The winger did not play any further part in the match after failing his Head Impact Asssessment and was replaced by try-scorer Jesse Kriel.
After undergoing scans on Monday morning, it was confirmed that Mapimpi has suffered a fractured eye socket, which will keep him on the sidelines for between four and six weeks, effectively bringing an early end to his World Cup campaign.
“Makazole is out of the World Cup,” Erasmus said during an online briefing on Monday.
“It is very sad, it was an accident, but he has a fractured eye socket and is out for four to six weeks.
“We will miss him because he is a brilliant rugby player and a fantastic person.”
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Erasmus confirmed a decision has already been made on a replacement, but could not reveal who the Springboks would be flying to France.
“We know who we want to replace him, I would love to tell you who it is, but we first need to notify World Rugby,” Erasmus said.
Mapimpi’s injury could open up the opportunity to fly outside centre Lukhanyo Am into the Bok camp. Am missed on being named in the original 33-player squad due to a troublesome knee injury, but has recovered sufficiently to start making his way back to playing.
The Springboks already count Kurt-Lee Arendse, Cheslin Kolbe and Canan Moodie as the other wings in the squad, while speedy scrumhalf Grant Williams has made both of his starts at the World Cup on the right wing.
Photo: ROMAIN PERROCHEAU / AFP