Mapimpi, Marx to return to World Cup if Springboks reach final

Mapimpi and Marx might both have been ruled out of the 2023 Rugby World Cup due to untimely injuries, the Springboks plan to have them rejoin the squad if the team makes it as far as the title decider.

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GONE FROM RWC, BUT NOT FORGOTTEN

Unfortunately, the world-class hooker Marx sustained a serious knee injury during training, and had to be replaced in the early stages of the World Cup, with Handre Pollard subsequently called up to the squad.

In Mapimpi case, he suffered a fractured eye-socket during the Springboks’ Pool B encounter against Tonga on Sunday which ruled him out of the tournament. Lukhanyo Am has since been brought into the squad as his replacement.

Following the confirmation of Mapimpi’s return home, SA Rugby’s director of rugby Rassie Erasmus announced that both players, who were influential in the Springboks 2019 World Cup-winning campaign, will be brought back to France should South Africa win their quarter-final and semi-final clashes to reach the final.

“If we [Springboks] get to the final, we’ll fly him [Makazole Mapimpi] and Malcolm Marx back,” Erasmus said on Monday.

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UPDATED: SPRINGBOKS’ CURRENT 33-MAN RWC SQUAD

Forwards: Steven Kitshoff (Ulster), Vincent Koch (Cell C Sharks), Frans Malherbe (DHL Stormers), Ox Nche (Cell C Sharks), Trevor Nyakane (Racing 92), Bongi Mbonambi (Cell C Sharks), Eben Etzebeth (Cell C Sharks), Jean Kleyn (Munster), Marvin Orie (Perpignan), RG Snyman (Munster), Pieter-Steph du Toit (Toyota Verblitz), Siya Kolisi (capt, Racing 92), Kwagga Smith (Shizuoka Blue Revs), Marco van Staden (Vodacom Bulls), Duane Vermeulen (SA Rugby), Jasper Wiese (Leicester), Deon Fourie (DHL Stormers), Franco Mostert (Honda Heat). 

Backs: Faf de Klerk (Canon Eagles ), Jaden Hendrikse (Cell C Sharks), Cobus Reinach (Montpellier), Grant Williams (Cell C Sharks), Manie Libbok (DHL Stormers), Damian Willemse (DHL Stormers), Damian de Allende (Panasonic Wild Knights), Andre Esterhuizen (Harlequins), Jesse Kriel (Canon Eagles), Kurt-Lee Arendse (Vodacom Bulls), Cheslin Kolbe (Suntory Sungoliath), Willie le Roux (Vodacom Bulls), Canan Moodie (Vodacom Bulls), Handre Pollard (Leicester Tigers), Lukhanyo Am (Cell C Sharks).

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