Springbok Star Joins Japanese Side

Springbok winger Makazole Mapimpi has joined Japanese side NTT Docomo Red Hurricane from Sharks until early April.

The Rugby World Cup 2019 winner will link up with fellow South Africans Tyler Paul, Ruan Vermaak, and Franco Marais at NTT Docomo Red Hurricane.

Mapimpi is expected to return to Sharks to finish his contract in 2023 after being granted permission to link up with the Japanese side in September.

“This season, I join NTT Docomo and it is extremely exciting,” Mapimpi said. “I am honoured to be with you. I have very good memories of last year’s World Cup in Japan. And I believe that Red Hurricanes will have more wonderful experiences and memories.

“Also, I am very much looking forward to working as a team with new staff including Johann Ackermann. And finally, I would like to extend my heartfelt gratitude to the South African Association, Sharks, NTT Docomo, and my management team for giving me this wonderful opportunity”.

The modest 29-year-old from Mdantsane, in the Eastern Cape, immortalized himself in the Springbok Saga last year by becoming the first South African to score a try in a Rugby World Cup final.

Mapimpi recorded half a dozen tries at Rugby World Cup 2019, one shy of the seven by Welshman Josh Adams – top try-scorer of the tournament.

Moreover, the Sharks’ gasman has now scored 14 tries in 14 tests for South Africa, which currently gives him the best Springbok try-scoring ratio (100%) of all time.