Rugby-Springboks sweat on Mapimpi injury in wake of Tonga win

FILE PHOTO: Rugby Union - Rugby World Cup 2023 - Pool B - South Africa v Romania - Matmut Atlantique, Bordeaux, France - September 17, 2023 South Africa's Makazole Mapimpi scores a try REUTERS/Stephane Mahe/File Photo

MARSEILLE, France (Reuters) - South Africa will send wing Makazole Mapimpi for scans on a fracture to his cheek-bone in the wake of Sunday’s 49-18 victory over Tonga that took the defending champions to the brink of a Rugby World Cup quarter-final place.

Should they progress, it may be without the 2019 World Cup winner after he clashed heads with tackler Augustine Pulu in an incident that was reviewed by the Television Match Official, but not sanctioned with a yellow card.