Sad news for Rugby as injury sidelines top man

Springboks’ injury difficulties continue as Makazole Mapimpi is now ruled out of the Rugby World Cup.

Springbok wing Makazole Mapimpi has been ruled out of the rest of the Rugby World Cup in France due to a fractured eye socket, according to director of rugby Rassie Erasmus.

Mapimpi was injured in a collision with Augustine Pulu during the Springboks’ 49-18 Pool B victory over Tonga on Sunday in Marseille, which moved them closer to a quarter-final spot.

The incident was examined by the Television Match Official, but no yellow card was issued.

“Makazole is out of the World Cup,” Erasmus informed journalists. “We know who we want to replace him; I’d love to tell you who it is, but we have to notify World Rugby first.”

“It was an accident, but he has a fractured eye socket and will be out for four to six weeks.” We will miss him because he is a wonderful rugby player and person.”

While no longer first choice, Mapimpi has a wealth of experience, having played a key role in South Africa’s World Cup victory in Japan in 2019.

“If we make it to the final, we’ll fly him back here to join us.” It’s unfortunate, but crashes happen in rugby,” Erasmus continued.

South Africa will discover their quarter-final fate after Saturday’s encounter between Ireland and Scotland in Paris, but they are in a solid position.

The only way they can be eliminated is if Scotland defeats top-ranked Ireland by 21 points or more, with the latter receiving a bonus point for tries scored.

Scotland and South Africa will progress if they win by eight points or more with no Irish bonus point.

“We would rather sit here than be Ireland, who have been number one in the world all this time and Scotland just have to beat them by eight points and they are out of the tournament,” he stated.

“Of the three teams, we are probably the most comfortable.”