Mapimpi could be out of the World Cup; Will Am return?

Springbok flyhalf Makazole Mapimpi could be ruled out of the World Cup due to injury.

The 33-year-old World Cup winner was forced off the pitch during the match against Tonga on Sunday evening.

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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 COULD BE OUT OF THE WORLD CUP

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Springbok head coach Jacques Nienaber said after the game that Mapimpi had suffered a facial fracture.

“He unfortunately had a blow-out fracture of his cheekbone, so he’ll probably go for specialist scans tomorrow morning to determine the severity of it,” he said as per planetrugby.com.

If the injury is serious, the winger could be replaced from the Boks World Cup squad. This means that the door can finally open for Lukhanyo Am.

“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.

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