Makazole Mapimpi could be out of the World Cup following an injury. Image: @Tabile_Zukile/X
Springboks injury update: Is Makazole Mapimpi’s World Cup over?
The Springboks are facing an anxious wait on the status of Makazoke Mapimpi, who will go for an MRI scan on Monday after receiving a blow to the face against Tonga on Sunday.
Makazole Mapimpi could be out of the World Cup following an injury. Image: @Tabile_Zukile/X
Makazole Mapimpi’s continued participation in the World Cup is in doubt after the winger suffered a severe facial injury during the Springboks’ Pool B clash against Tonga in Marseille on Sunday night.
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MAPIMPI INJURED IN BIG COLLISION
Featuring in just his second appearance at the 2023 Rugby World Cup, Mapimpi was forced off in the first half following a head-on-head collision with Tonga scrumhalf Augustine Pulu, who previously turned out for the All Blacks.
The collision was checked by the match officials, but they decided the hit only warranted a penalty and not a yellow card.
Mapimpi did not return to the field after failing his Head Impact Assessment and he was replaced by Jesse Kriel, who scored a try as the Springboks claimed a 49-18 victory.
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Nienaber confirmed after the match that the veteran speedster’s future participation in the tournament is in serious doubt.
“He unfortunately had a blow-out fracture of his cheekbone,” said Nienaber.
“He’ll probably go for specialist scans [Monday] morning to determine the severity of it.”
The injury to Mapimpi is the second serious injury knock for the Springboks at the World Cup, after star hooker Malcolm Marx was also ruled out of the tournament due to torn knee ligaments.
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WILL THE SPRINGBOKS BE WITHOUT MAPIMPI?
