Injured Mapimpi returns to SA, Kolbe to start?

Cape Town - Springbok wing Makazole Mapimpi has flown home from Australia after picking up a knee injury in Saturday's Test.

It means that the 28-year-old will miss Saturday's clash against the All Blacks in Wellington. 

Mapimpi was one of South Africa's try scorers in their 23-18 loss to the Wallabies in Brisbane, but he was replaced by debutant Cheslin Kolbe in the 34th minute of the clash. 

It looked like he picked up the injury when making a try-saving touchline tackle, but further details of the knock are yet to be released. 

The Boks will not be calling up a replacement, meaning that Kolbe is the likely option to start in the No 14 jersey against the All Blacks. 

Other logical options for coach Rassie Erasmus would be centre Jesse Kriel and fullback Willie le Roux. 

"We have a squad of 30 players here in Wellington and we’re not going to call up a replacement," Erasmus explained on Monday.

"Makazole flew back today (Monday) and if we call up someone in his place, he will only arrive here on Wednesday and have one training session with us."

Kick-off on Saturday is at 09:35 (SA time). 

Update: Springbok wing Makazole Mapimpi will return to South Africa, to undergo further scans on his injured knee. No replacement to be called up, according to Rassie Erasmus.

— South African Rugby (@Springboks) September 10, 2018