Springbok wing Makazole Mapimpi has flown home after injuring his knee in the Rugby Championship loss to the Wallabies on Saturday.

Mapimpi, one of the Boks’ try-scorers in Brisbane, was replaced by Cheslin Kolbe in the 34th minute.

It was the second time in a row the 28-year-old had to be removed in the first half after also being forced off before half-time with the same injury against Argentina in Mendoza.

The Springboks have elected not to call up a replacement, meaning that coach Rassie Erasmus will have to choose between a like-for-like change in Kolbe or shifting either Jesse Kriel, Lukhanyo Am or Willie le Roux to the wing for the clash against the All Blacks.

‘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,’ Erasmus explained.

‘We have Cheslin Kolbe with us who played a full second half last Saturday on the wing, but we have some other options as well such as Jesse Kriel and even Lukhanyo Am, who has played some rugby out on the wing.

‘We will try and pick the most experienced side for this match, with the least amount of changes.’

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