Latest news with #Mapimpi
The South African
24-07-2025
- Sport
- The South African
Are these three Springbok stalwarts being phased out?
As the Springboks begin to plot and plan the team's best pathway to the 2027 World Cup, it is inevitable that some senior players will begin to fall by the wayside. Rassie Erasmus has made it clear that there will need to be some careful consideration given to the average age of the squad that heads to the next global showpiece. However, as long as some veterans continue to meet their key performance metrics, they can keep themselves firmly in the mix. With all this in mind, though, it was revealing that Erasmus did release three veterans from an otherwise near full-strength squad for the start of the Rugby Championship. So, what does the future hold for Faf de Klerk, Makazole Mapimpi and Lukhanyo Am? Faf de Klerk A star performer during the 2019 and 2023 World Cup triumphs, De Klerk missed a large part of last season due to injury, and in his absence the likes of Grant Williams and Morne van den Berg have begun to take big strides forward. De Klerk is now 33-years-old, and while this may be a consideration to some degree, it can't be forgotten that Cobus Reinach remains in the latest Springbok squad at the age of 35. Faf came off the bench in the first Test against Italy and against Georgia, so he's certainly not out of the picture just yet despite falling down the pecking order to some degree. Verdict: There IS more to come. Makazole Mapimpi The veteran wing will soon celebrate his 35th birthday on 26 July, and although Mapimpi is still in great shape, even he has admitted that it's highly unlikely he'd make it through to the next World Cup. Mapimpi has lost his spot in the Springboks' first choice starting line-up to Kurt-Lee Arendse, and other young wingers such as Ethan Hooker and Edwill van der Merwe have shown great potential for the future. Nevertheless, Mapimpi did display great form for the Sharks this past season, and the Springboks know the value of his reliability and experience. Verdict: Mapimpi might battle to make it to the next World Cup, but over the next two years, he should still have an opportunity to prove that age is just a number. Lukhanyo Am In recent times, injuries have really plagued the progress of the 31-year-old, and at the same time Jesse Kriel has established a firm grip on the No 13 jersey. It is evident that the Springboks also view talented Canan Moodie as a strong back up option at outside centre, perhaps also prompting the decision to release Am at this stage. However, there is no doubt that the Springboks do need some more depth at outside centre, and the national coaches will be desperately hoping to see Am get back to his best fitness and form. Verdict: Don't count him out just yet, age IS still on his side. Forwards: Lood de Jager (Wild Knights), Pieter-Steph du Toit (Toyota Verblitz), Jean-Luc du Preez (Bordeaux Begles), Eben Etzebeth (Sharks), Vincent Koch (Sharks), Siya Kolisi (Sharks), Wilco Louw (Vodacom Bulls), Malcolm Marx (Kubota Spears), Bongi Mbonambi (Sharks), Franco Mostert (Honda Heat), Ox Nche (Sharks), Ruan Nortje (Vodacom Bulls), Asenathi Ntlabakanye (Lions), Kwagga Smith (Shizuoka Blue Revs), RG Snyman (Leinster), Marnus van der Merwe (Scarlets), Marco van Staden (Vodacom Bulls), Boan Venter (Edinburgh), Jan-Hendrik Wessels (Vodacom Bulls), Cobus Wiese (Vodacom Bulls). Backs: Kurt-Lee Arendse (Vodacom Bulls), Damian de Allende (Wild Knights), Andre Esterhuizen (Sharks), Aphelele Fassi (Sharks), Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu (Stormers), Ethan Hooker (Sharks), Jesse Kriel (Canon Eagles), Cheslin Kolbe (Tokyo Sungoliath), Willie le Roux (Vodacom Bulls), Manie Libbok (Hanazono Kintetsu Liners), Canan Moodie (Vodacom Bulls), Handre Pollard (Vodacom Bulls), Cobus Reinach (Stormers), Edwill van der Merwe (Sharks), Morne van den Berg (Lions), Grant Williams (Sharks), Damian Willemse (Stormers). Let us know by leaving a comment below, or send a WhatsApp to 060 011 0211. Subscribe to The South African website's newsletters and follow us on WhatsApp, Facebook, X and Bluesky for the latest news.
The South African
17-07-2025
- Sport
- The South African
Makazole Mapimpi steps onto Springboks' try-scoring 'podium'
Makazole Mapimpi moved into third place in the list of Springbok try-scorers with his five-pointer against Italy at the Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium in Gqeberha last Saturday. Mapimpi broke out of a tie with Jaque Fourie to stand third on his own. His 33 tries have come in just 47 Tests, giving him by far the best 'tries per Test' ratio for any player to have scored 20 or more tries. Up next for Mapimpi is Joost van der Westhuizen who scored 38 times in his 89 Tests. However, time is not on Mapimpi's side as he'll turn 35 on 26 July 2025. Bryan Habana is South Africa's all-time leading Test try-scorer with 67. It's a record that's unlikely to ever be broken with the modern day shift to selecting bigger squads and managing player workloads. Meanwhile, hooker Malcolm Marx remains the Springboks' all-time leading Test try-scorer for a forward with an impressive 22 tries in 78 Tests. His ratio of 0.28 tries per Test is better than both Jean de Villiers and Percy Montgomery. Player Tries Tests Tries/Test Bryan Habana 67 124 0.54 Joost van der Westhuizen 38 89 0.43 Makazole Mapimpi 33 47 0.70 Jaque Fourie 32 72 0.44 Jean de Villiers 27 109 0.25 Breyton Paulse 26 64 0.41 Percy Montgomery 25 102 0.25 JP Pietersen 24 70 0.34 Malcolm Marx 22 78 0.28 Pieter Rossouw 21 43 0.49 James Small 20 47 0.43 Let us know by leaving a comment below, or send a WhatsApp to 060 011 021 1 Subscribe to The South African website's newsletters and follow us on WhatsApp, Facebook, X and Bluesky for the latest news.
The Citizen
09-07-2025
- Sport
- The Citizen
Mapimpi still going strong: Bok winger edges closer to 50 Tests
The two-time World Cup winner has got one of the best strike rates around, 32 tries in 46 Tests. Willie le Roux might be the man of the moment, with the fullback in line to make his 100th Springbok appearance against Italy in Gqeberha on Saturday, but let's not forget about Makazole Mapimpi, who's something of a survivor in the Bok squad. The 34-year-old will be going all out on Saturday to prove he still has what it takes at the elite level, even if he is no longer the team's first choice left wing. Kurt-Lee Arendse is now the Boks' preferred No 11, with Cheslin Kolbe the standout at No 14, but Mapimpi is still in the mix and will face Italy in the second Test on Saturday. His wing partner will be Edwill van der Merwe, just his second Test, while Le Roux will be at fullback, in his 100th. While there have been discussions about Mapimpi still being an option in 2027 when the Boks challenge for a third World Cup in a row, in Australia, the reality is he is still a first-choice at the Sharks and has never let the Boks down. In fact, in his 46 Tests he has scored 32 tries – a quite phenomenal strike-rate. Kolbe only has 18 tries in his 41 Tests, while Arendse has 19 in 25 Tests. With Canan Moodie hanging around and able to play wing, centre and fullback – on Saturday he'll be in the No 13 jersey – and young Ethan Hooker now also pushing for recognition – on Saturday's he'll be on the bench – Mapimpi knows he needs to make the most of the opportunities that come his way. Going home Especially also with so many quality wingers all across the country, men who aren't even in the current squad. Mapimpi said on Tuesday he wasn't looking too far ahead, and definitely not to the next World Cup, which would be his third, after starring in Japan in 2019 and in France in 2023. 'I can't focus too far ahead. The only thing I can do is focus on the Sharks when I play for them or for the Springboks when I am here … and right now I am very happy to be here at this stage,' said Mapimpi on Tuesday. Playing in Gqeberha, in the Eastern Cape where he grew up, is also special for the winger. 'We're all excited to be back here in the Eastern Cape. The last time we were here was in 2021 after Covid. It's rare for the Boks to come here, so there's a lot of excitement all round.'
The Herald
08-07-2025
- Sport
- The Herald
Le Roux gets Bok 100 against Italy as Erasmus names three uncapped players
Erasmus named an exciting new backline with Edwill van der Merwe and Eastern Cape local Makazole Mapimpi linking up with Le Roux in the back three. André Esterhuizen will partner Canan Moodie in the midfield and Manie Libbok joins forces with Grant Williams at halfback. Up front, Jasper Wiese and Van Staden form a loose trio combination with Pieter-Steph du Toit, while Ruan Nortje and Moerat will command the engine room and Thomas du Toit will pack down with Louw and Marx in the front row. Erasmus named five forwards and three backs on the bench, with Wessels joining fellow front-rowers Nché and Ntlabakanye, along with the versatile Cobus Wiese and Evan Roos. Cobus Reinach, Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu and Hooker will provide backline cover. Du Toit, Nortje, Williams, Mapimpi and Roos make returns from injuries that ruled them out of action at some stage since last season. Commenting on Le Roux earning his 100th Test cap, Erasmus said: 'Willie has been a stalwart for us in the last few years after making his debut against Italy in Durban in 2013 and he's a fantastic playmaker, so we are thrilled to see him achieve this incredible feat.
IOL News
26-06-2025
- Entertainment
- IOL News
Makazole Mapimpi: from rugby star to viral maskandi singing sensation on TikTok
Springboks rugby player, Makazole Mapimpi, stunned many by sharing his love for Maskandi and singing a popular Maskandi song. Image: Instagram In a surprising turn of events, Sharks and Springboks winger Makazole Mapimpi has showcased a talent that few knew he possessed: his singing voice. The rugby star captivated fans on social media by sharing a video on TikTok where he effortlessly belted out 'Abathakathi' by Govozile, a popular Maskandi song, while seated in his car. The clip has quickly gone viral, adding a new layer to Mapimpi's diverse skill set beyond the rugby pitch. Maskandi, a traditional South African music genre predominantly associated with the Zulu people, is an expressive fusion of local melodies and Western instrumentation, featuring guitars, concertinas, and violins. Often likened to "Zulu Blues", this genre weaves narratives of everyday life, social issues, and personal experiences - themes that echo Mapimpi's journey to stardom. In the video, Mapimpi not only displays his impressive vocal range but also engages in playful banter with his detractors. The lyrics resonate deeply with him, as they reflect themes of resilience and perseverance, qualities that have characterised his sporting career. It is a light-hearted dig at those who doubted his potential and dreams. His journey serves as an inspiration to many, embodying the very message conveyed in the song. Growing up in Tsholomnqa village in Mdantsane, East London, Mapimpi's path to becoming a Springbok was paved with challenges. Raised by his grandmother after the tragic loss of his mother, brother, and sister, he faced a stark reality that few of his peers would understand. Unlike many of his fellow Springboks, he did not hail from a prestigious rugby school, making his rise to fame all the more remarkable. Off the field, the determined winger has cultivated a flair for fashion, often sharing glimpses of his stylish outfits on his social media platforms. His posts, dedicated to showcasing his unique "drip", reveal a personality eager to express himself beyond rugby. The rugby season has been buzzing with excitement as South Africa prepares to kick off on June 28 with a match against the Barbarians at DHL Stadium as part of the Qatar Airways Cup. In a show of confidence, Springbok coach Rassie Erasmus has named a strong squad, including Mapimpi, for the opening stages of the international season, retaining a mix of seasoned players and newcomers, all set to make their mark as the Castle Lager Incoming Series looms.
