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Lukhanyo Am replaces injured wing Mapimpi in Springboks squad
By Finn Morton
Rugby World Cup winner Lukhanyo Am has joined the Springboks’ quest for back-to-back titles with the centre replacing injured wing Makazole Mapimpi in the 33-man squad.
As confirmed by a Rugby World Cup statement, Mapimpi was ruled out of the sports showpiece event after fracturing “his cheekbone” against Tonga on Sunday evening.
Am, 29, was initially overlooked for the Springbok’s Rugby World Cup squad due to a troublesome knee injury, but has been called in ahead of a potential quarterfinal next weekend.
“South Africa have confirmed centre Lukhanyo Am has replaced wing Makazole Mapimpi in their squad for Rugby World Cup 2023,” the statement reads.
“Mapimpi fractured his cheekbone in the Springboks’ 49-18 win against Tonga on Sunday. AM won the RWC with South Africa in 2019 and made the assist for Mapimpi’s try in the final against England.
“This change comes after fly-half Handre Pollard replaced hooker Malcolm Marx, who suffered a knee injury, in their squad.
“The defending champions beat Scotland 18-3 in their opening Pool B match in Marseille, with further wins against Romania and Tonga, but were defeated by Ireland.”
South Africa currently sits in first place in Pool B after beating Scotland, Romania and Tonga. The thrilling loss to Ireland at Stade de France is the only blip on their World Cup record so far.
Barring an incredible result between Scotland and Ireland this weekend in Paris, the defending World Cup champions will probably face either France or New Zealand in a quarter-final.
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Just what you want your prop doing 😂
Go to commentsEveryone needs to have a bit of ball player in them Nick and second phase but forwards and backs are still different coz of where you stick your head most of the time. Pocock and tizzano were 12s right up to the edge of seniors. Pocock was 12 to quades 10 then pocock was at the force At 17 year’s old or so. Hamish Stewart was apparently was a junior 7. Don’t know when he switched but apparently he was crons 10 in the Oz 20s. A mistake too often made is playing a guy like taquele nairavuro at wing instead of as a power 8. On rugby tours we often had a spare 7 playing crash 12 coz the regular 12 stayed home. Often had a spare 7 playing on a wing too.
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