South Africa’s rugby year has had a rough start for some players this year. Chief among the rough incidents that have jeopardized rugby players’ careers is the intense scuffle between South Africa’s Makazole Mapimpi and Wales’ Efan Daniel has had the rugby world and fan base divided as rugby watchers analyse the clip. The Springbok’s speedster; Mapimpi has since been dubbed as one of rugby’s dirtiest players by those fans who have placed the blame of the incident on him. The incident delivered a crippling blow to his career. The start of the new year has proven to be stressful for some sports professionals.
Whether or not you are a rugby or Springbok fan, Makazole Mapimpi is a name that has quickly become extremely popular on social media as the athlete has established some sort of online presence. When he is not representing his Rugby Union team the Cell C Sharks and the Springboks, Makazole aka D-Rex doubles as a fashionista who has stolen the hearts of many on TikTok and Instagram. After pulling off an impressive 42-22 victory over Welsh side Cardiff, the South African side has not been able to celebrate accordingly as the scuffle between Makazole and Efan Daniel has been the only thing on the minds and lips of rugby fans all over the world, as they deliberate on who gets to take the blame for unsportsmanlike behaviour.
Mapimpi has certainly been a popular name in the world of rugby and even fashion. Fame can certainly alter the trajectory of an athlete, both on and off the field. He was fortunate to have quite a few sponsorships in his career. As a professional the game he played can become quite intense. Roughness does have its place in rugby. However, Mapimpi should tone down his rough play. The incident with the Welsh player Daniel possibly exposes the rough handedness and breaking down of discipline in a professional rugby athlete like Mapimpi. Mapimpi’s actions have provoked a great feeling of displeasure and disapproval amongst rugby watchers. Mapimpi himself should face some form of disciplinary action from the Rugby sports authority and his team management. However, this may not be the end of his career.
Meanwhile the Springboks and those competing for a place on the national team have their own struggles to overcome for the year. South African Rugby Media is watching.
Brenden Nel and Liam Del Carme return to tackle the big questions around South African rugby’s rocky start to the year. After an early Champions Cup exit, SA teams now turn their focus to the URC, where there’s no time to dwell on past disappointments. One of the weekend’s biggest clashes? The Jukskei Derby, where the Lions and Bulls go head-to-head at Ellis Park. Adding some extra insight to the matchup is Lions front-row powerhouse Asenathi Ntlabakanye, who opens up about his rugby journey, the drive that keeps him going, and a surprising career path he might have taken if rugby hadn’t worked out. Of course, Brenden and Liam don’t just break down the action – they also put their predictions on the line for this weekend’s URC battles. With plenty to discuss, it’s the perfect way to kick off the year in rugby.
So, the Springboks did not have great successes last year. They may have to pull up their socks this year and train hard. It is not always easy to pull off an awesome win. Ambition is not an easy road. The SA team players from the Lions, Sharks and the Bulls are busy preparing themselves to be on the Springboks for the United Rugby Championship (URC). The beginning of this year has proven to be huge news for Rugby sports watchers. The regional rugby teams are competing against each other for a place on the Springboks national team. This includes the players on the Lions and Bulls. Ntlabakanye is one of these players and has undergone intense training to prepare for his rugby matches. These matches are intense preparation for the URC later in the year. The purpose of YouTube podcasts like Brenden Nel and Liam Del Carme is to give a better understanding behind the professional players who compete in the Rugby sport.
The fiasco with Mapimpi will likely calm down. It remains to be seen however if South Africa and the Springboks will earn a place in the finals of the URC.
Article written by:
Yacoob Cassim
Journalist at Radio Al Ansaar
