His left knee will be far from his mind when Siya Kolisi leads out the Springboks at the upcoming Rugby World Cup in France.
The Springboks departed South Africa's shores on Saturday determined to make the country proud as they headed to Cardiff for the first stop on their way to France for the Rugby World Cup.
Malcolm Marx may be an obvious inclusion in the 33-man World Cup squad for France next month, but for the Springbok hooker, a call-up to the team is a privilege he does not take for granted.
Springbok newcomers Kurt-Lee Arendse and Grant Williams are both still pinching themselves as they try to come to terms with the fact that they are heading to the World Cup.
Now that he can rest easy knowing he will captain the Springboks at the Rugby World Cup in France, Siya Kolisi has admitted just how scared he was that his dream might be over.
Makazole Mapimpi admits that he and Lukhanyo Am were left emotional after they realised his injury was going to keep him out of the Springboks' 33-man World Cup squad.