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Springbok fans worried for Makazole Mapimpi over outbursts of 'weird energy'
Sharks winger Makazole Mapimpi’s behaviour has come under the spotlight after South African fans grow concerned following his latest Champions Cup clash.
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The Springboks No 11 was one of the heroes of their 2019 World Cup win, famously scoring their first-ever try in a World Cup final when he dotted down.
He rode a wave of momentum in 2019 to secure the left wing position for South Africa after hot-stepping star Aphiwe Dyantyi received a ban for a doping offence.
After getting into arguments with teammates and officials against French club Bordeaux Begles, Mapimpi’s on-field behaviour was labelled ‘weird energy’ by South African rugby writer Dylan Jack.
There's a weird energy around Makazole Mapimpi at the moment. Doesn't seem to be the upbeat player he was in 2019. Seems angry and irritable. Had a strange go at the refs after not being allowed the quick tap, when two players – incl a teammate – were down with head knocks.
— Dylan Jack (@dylmjack) January 14, 2023
After a dangerous aerial collision that saw players from both teams injured, Mapimpi was visibly frustrated after not being able to take a quick tap penalty despite time being blown off from the referee.
Sharks and Springboks teammate Jaden Hendrikse tried to calm his teammate but an angry Mapimpi slammed the ball down in frustration which bounced and hit the referee.
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The pair of Boks had already been warned for dissent in the first half by the referees.
Jack’s assessment was noticed by a handful of other South African fans who expressed concerned for their seemingly angry Bok star.
Not sure what ants are in Mapimpi’s pants.
No chance the ref will allow the quick tap after that aerial collision, so Jaden is right to tell him to slow down. He throws the ball in frustration which hits the ref (who warned him about shouting at the officials in the 1st half). pic.twitter.com/CuPmXAYzw6
— Thala Msutu (@ThalaMsutu77) January 14, 2023
Sharks discipline leaves a lot to be desired. Jaden Hendrikse and Makazole Mapimpi warned within 10 minutes for shouting (disrespecting) officials. Wonder where this spoilt brat behaviour comes comes from?
— Dan Retief (@Retief_Dan) January 14, 2023
Mapimpi has “weird” energy meanwhile James Lowe has been a shithouse all his life. Rieko too, takes nothing away from their game…
iPimpi has just added his suppressed personality into his game and he is being villified for it.
— Zondi (@Mpumelelo_Zondi) January 15, 2023
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There’s a frustration/edge with Mapimpi – fighting opponents, shouting at refs, etc. It might get him and his teams into big trouble in a big game
— Thala Msutu (@ThalaMsutu77) January 14, 2023
" There's suddenly a weird energy around Mapimpi.." what does that even mean?
Apart from the fact it's World Cup year, Mapimpi is no longer the quiet, shy and submissive player, he's at the peak of his career and wants to win a 2nd RWC, especially when there's so much pressure..— Sesethu Time (@time_sesethu) January 15, 2023
Following the game more information came to light as the Springbok winger was cited for a potential eye-gouge on Bordeaux’s Maxime Lucu in the 36th minute of the match.
The French scrummhalf complained to referee Luke Pearce at the time but no footage could be found by the TMO investigation at the time. The incident has since been picked up by the citing commissioner.
A statement reads: “EPCR has received a citing complaint against the Cell C Sharks wing, Makazole Mapimpi (No 11), arising from his club’s Heineken Champions Cup, Round 3 match against Union Bordeaux-Bègles on Saturday, 14 January 2023.
The first sign of troubled behaviour by Mapimpi came during last year’s Rugby Championship in South Africa’s second test against Australia.
After scoring the game-sealing try against the Wallabies in Sydney, Mapimpi sparked an all-in fracas after he grabbed opposite Marika Koroibete by the throat while standing over him.
Comments on RugbyPass
Hi, Dave here. Happy to answer questions 🥰
3 Go to commentsDon’t think that headline is accurate. It’s great to see Aus doing better but I’m not sure they’ve shown much threat to the top of the table. They shouldn’t be inflating wins against the lousy Highlanders and Crusaders either.
3 Go to commentsSuch a shame Roigard and Aumua picked up long term injuries, probably the two form players in the comp. Also, pretty sure Clarke Dermody isn’t their coach. Got it half right though.
3 Go to commentsOh the Aussie media, they never learn. It’s simple to see what’s going on. The Aussie teams are settled, they didn't lose any of their major players overseas. The Crusaders and Chiefs lost key experienced All Blacks, and Razor in the Crusaders case, and clearly neither are anywhere near as strong as last year (The Canes and Blues would probably be 3rd & 4th if they were). The Highlanders are annually average, even more so post-Aaron Smith and a big squad clean out. The two teams at the top? The two nz sides with largely the same settled roster as last year, except Ardie Savea for the Canes. They’ve both got far better coaches now too. If the Aussies are going to win the title, this is the year the kiwi sides will be weakest, so they better take their chance.
3 Go to commentsThe World Cup has to be the gold standard, line in the sand. 113 teams compete for what is the opportunity to make the pool stages, and then the knockout games for the trophy. The concept is sound. This must have been the rationale when the World Cup was created, surely? But I’m all for Looking forward and finding new ways for the SH to dominate the NH into the future. The autumn series needs a change up. Let’s start by having the NH teams come south every odd year for the Autumn/Spring series games?
3 Go to commentsWhat’ll happen when the AI models of the future go back in time and try to destroy the AI models of the past standing in their way of certain victory?
41 Go to commentsThanks, Nick. We (Seanny Maloney, Brett and I) just discussed Charlie as a potential Wallaby No 8, and wondered if he has truly realised how big he is in contact (and whether he can add 5 kg w/o slowing down). Your scouting report confirms our suspicions he has the materiel. No one knows if he has the mentality (as Johann van Graan said this week about CJ, Duane and Alfie B) to carry 10-15 times a game.
57 Go to commentsHe would be a great player for the Stormers, Dobbo should approach the guy.
3 Go to commentsGood article. A few years back when he was playing for the Cheetahs, he was a quiet standout for exactly the seasons stated here. I occasionally get to see his games in the UK, and he has become a more complete player and in many ways like an Irish player. His work ethic is so suitable to the Leinster game. I wonder if Rassie would have him listed somewhere.
3 Go to commentsResults probably skewed by the fact that a few clubs have foreign fly halves in their 30s, but most teams have young English scrum halves. Results also likely to be skewed by the fact that many teams rely on centres and fullbacks to provide depth at 10, whereas they will need to stock a large number of specialist backup 9s.
1 Go to commentsI really get the sense that when all is said and done, the path of least resistance will end up being a merger of Wasps & Worcester that essentially kills the Worcester Warriors brand and sees Wasps permanently playing at Sixways. I’m not saying that’s what should happen or what I want to happen. I just think it’s the easiest rout to take and therefore, will be what happens. Wasps will definitely return to play first, and I suppose it all depends on if they can find support at Sixways. If people turn up and support Wasps in that community, at that ground, I bet they drop the Sevenoaks plan and just remain at Sixways. Under the radar but not totally unrelated, it looks as though London Irish are going to be brought back from the dead by a German consortium and look set to return, likely to the remade Championship. It’s set to have 12 clubs next season with 14 in 2025/26, what do you want to bet those extra 2 are Wasps and London Irish?
3 Go to commentsThe shoulder is a “joint” with multiple bones. You don’t “fracture” a shoulder, you fracture any one or more of the bones that make up a shoulder.
2 Go to commentsOh dear, bones too suspect to continue?
2 Go to commentsBold headline considering the Canes and Blues are 1 and 2 and the Brumbies were soundly beaten by the Chiefs and Blues. Biggest surprise is Rebels 4 Crusaders 12 - no one saw that coming. If Aus are improving that’s great 👍
3 Go to commentsAnna, You are right, we need to have patience whilst the others catch up to England and France. Also it is the PWR that has been the game changer for England. the RFU put money into that initially at the expense of the Red Roses. I was sceptical at first but it has paid off in spades.
1 Go to commentsI think Matt Proctor became a 1 test AB in the same fixture. Cameron is quality and has been great this season, can’t believe’s he only 27. Realistically how would he not be selected for ABs squad this year. Only Dmac is ahead of him as a specialist 10. With Jordan out, it will come down to where and when Beauden Barrett slots back in, and where they want to play Ruben Love. Cameron seems an absolute lock in for the wider squad though. Added benefit of TJ-Cameron-Jordie combination at 9, 10, 11 too.
1 Go to commentsFarcical, to what end would someone want to pay to keep this thing going.
1 Go to commentsHavili, our best 12 by a mile, will be in the squad, if he stays fit. JB is the most overrated AB in the last 50 years.
61 Go to commentsWe had during the week twilight footy, twilight cricket, tw golf plus there was the athletics club. Then the weekend was rugby 15s plus the net ball, really busy club scene back then but so much has changed and rugby has suffered. And it was all about changing lifestyles.
6 Go to commentsIn the 70s and 80s my club ran 5 Senior sides plus a Vets. Now it is 2 sides with an occasional 3rd team. Players have difficulty getting to training now, not sure why and the commitment is not there. It seems to me more a problem of people applying themselves and not expecting to turn up and play whenever they want to.
6 Go to comments