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Am replaces injured Mapimpi in Boks Rugby World Cup squad / Photo: © AFP/File
Am replaces injured Mapimpi in Boks Rugby World Cup squad
Centre Lukhanyo Am has been called up to defending champions South Africa's Rugby World Cup squad as the replacement for injured winger Makazole Mapimpi, tournament organisers announced on Monday.
Mapimpi fractured a cheekbone in the Springboks' win over Tonga on Sunday, their final game of the Pool B campaign.
The Boks will qualify for the quarter-finals if Ireland beat third-placed Scotland next Saturday.
The permutations are more complex if Scotland overcome Ireland.
"Mapimpi fractured his cheek bone in the Springboks' 49-18 win against Tonga," Rugby World Cup said on the tournament's website.
"Am won the RWC with South Africa in 2019 and made the assist for Mapimpi's try in the final against England," it added.
South Africa Rugby confirmed Sharks midfielder Am's arrival later on Monday.
"Mapimpi is expected to be out of action for four to six weeks," SA Rugby said.
"Am will join the squad in Toulon this week, having returned to training on his rehabilitation from a knee injury suffered in the 24-13 victory win over Argentina in Buenos Aires on 5 August.
"The 29-year-old centre missed out on squad selection because of the injury having appeared in the first four matches of the season as he recovered from a knee injury suffered in 2022," it added.
Am becomes the second World Cup winner from four years ago to be added to South Africa's squad with fly-half Handre Pollard replacing hooker Malcolm Marx last month.
He will compete with Damian De Allende, Jesse Kriel, Andre Esterhuizen and Canan Moodie for a starting place in Jacques Nienaber's side.
The Springboks' eventual quarter-final would be on the weekend of October 14-15 in Paris.
A.Smith--SFF
