Am answers Bok call after being 'devastated' at Mapimpi's World Cup-ending heartbreak

In Toulon

Lukhanyo Am and Makazole Mapimpi are brothers-in-arms and by all accounts, if the fates had allowed, should have been playing together at the 2023 Rugby World Cup.

Mapimpi, whose tournament ended in the 28th minute of Sunday's 49-18 win over Tonga when he came off second-best in a head clash with Augustine Pulu, was easily the most emotional player at the 8 August Rugby World Cup squad announcement in Randburg.

He described then how an injured Am needed to be prayed for so that he could recover from his knee injury to take part in the World Cup in some form.

As the cruel irony of fate would have it, Mapimpi is now the one who has to vacate for his teammate as a fractured eye socket and cheekbone ended his participation.

Rob Houwing | Boks: Positive propping poser for Nienaber as knockouts loom

Am, who provided the pass for Mapimpi's famous try in the 2019 Rugby World Cup final against England, was invalidated from the tournament initially with a knee injury sustained against Argentina on 5 August.

Sharks biokineticist Jimmy Wright, who has been working closely with Am since his injury, revealed to News24 on Monday that Am was distraught on hearing that Mapimpi was set to leave the World Cup.

"When Lukhanyo got injured, the guy who had the hardest time was actually Makazole because they are very close," Wright told News24.

"When the squad left and Lukhanyo came back into our system, they were talking every single day. On any given day, I'd ask Lukhanyo what Makazole said and he'd tell me what was going on.

LISTEN | The Inside Pass: Ep 16 - Springboks conclude group stage matches with win against Tonga

"Lukhanyo has been training very well, but not with the hope that someone will get injured, but with the reality that