Makazole Mapimpi

Makazole Mapimpi is one of the most inspiring success stories in South African rugby. A late bloomer who came through amateur rugby in the Eastern Cape, Mapimpi went on to become a Springbok, a two-time Rugby World Cup winner and the first South African to score a try in a World Cup final.

Early life

Makazole Mapimpi was born on 26 July 1990 in Tsholomnqa, a rural village near East London in the Eastern Cape. He attended Jim Mvabasa Senior Secondary School in King William's Town.

Mapimpi grew up in difficult circumstances and did not follow the traditional route into professional rugby. Unlike many elite players, he did not come through a major rugby academy or prestigious school system. Instead, he developed his game through grassroots and club rugby.

He was already an adult before his professional career began to take shape.

The long road to professional rugby

Mapimpi's first significant opportunity came with the Border Bulldogs.

In 2014, he was among a group of amateur players brought into the provincial setup after the professional Border Bulldogs organisation experienced financial difficulties. He made his first-class debut in the Vodacom Cup, scoring a try against a Sharks XV.

He subsequently played for the Border Bulldogs, Southern Kings and Free State Cheetahs, gradually building a reputation as a powerful and prolific winger.

His performances eventually earned him a move to the Sharks in 2018. It was the move that changed his career forever.

Springbok breakthrough at 27

Mapimpi was 27 years old when he finally received his first Springbok call-up in 2018.

He made his international debut against Wales in Washington DC on 2 June 2018, scoring a try despite South Africa losing 22-20.

It was the beginning of an extraordinary international career.

Mapimpi quickly established himself as one of the Springboks' most dangerous finishers. His combination of speed, strength and finishing ability made him a regular selection on the wing.

The 2019 Rugby World Cup

Mapimpi's career reached another level at the 2019 Rugby World Cup in Japan.

South Africa went into the tournament under Rassie Erasmus and eventually reached the final against England.

On 2 November 2019, Mapimpi started on the wing in the final at Yokohama.

In the second half, he received a pass from Lukhanyo Am and crossed the line to score South Africa's third try.

It was a historic moment.

Mapimpi became the first Springbok to score a try in a Rugby World Cup final. South Africa had won the 1995 and 2007 finals without scoring a try, making Mapimpi's 66th-minute effort a unique piece of Springbok history.

The Springboks went on to beat England 32-12, with Mapimpi finishing the tournament as one of the team's standout players.

A deeply personal World Cup

Behind Mapimpi's success was a deeply painful personal story.

By the time he reached the Springboks, Mapimpi had lost his parents and his siblings. His family losses meant that he had no immediate family member to provide a photograph for the special Springbok jerseys used during the 2019 World Cup. Instead, he provided a photograph of himself.

The story added an emotional dimension to his World Cup triumph and helped make Mapimpi one of the most admired figures in South African sport.

Injury and the 2023 World Cup

Mapimpi remained an important member of the Springbok squad in the years that followed.

He was selected for the 2023 Rugby World Cup in France, where South Africa successfully defended the title.

However, his tournament was cut short by injury. He suffered a fractured eye socket during the pool-stage match against Tonga, ruling him out for the remainder of the tournament.

Despite missing the knockout stages, Mapimpi was officially part of the squad that won South Africa's fourth Rugby World Cup, making him a two-time world champion.

Life with the Sharks

Mapimpi has spent much of his professional career with the Sharks, becoming one of the franchise's most recognisable players.

According to the Sharks, he has made more than 100 senior appearances across competitions including Super Rugby, the United Rugby Championship, Currie Cup and EPCR competitions. He was part of the Sharks side that won the 2023/24 EPCR Challenge Cup and the 2024 Currie Cup.

He has become particularly popular among Sharks supporters and remains one of the most recognisable players produced by the Eastern Cape rugby system.

A late-blooming Springbok

One of the defining features of Mapimpi's career is how late he reached the international stage.

He was already 27 when he made his Springbok debut, an age when many professional players are already established internationals.

Rather than being viewed as a disadvantage, his late rise became part of his story.

Mapimpi demonstrated that players from rural and less privileged rugby backgrounds could still reach the highest level if given an opportunity.

International record

As of his most recent recorded Springbok appearance in July 2025, Mapimpi had earned 47 Test caps and scored 33 tries for South Africa. His most recent Test was against Italy in Gqeberha on 12 July 2025.

His international honours include:

• 2019 Rugby World Cup winner
• 2023 Rugby World Cup winner
• First South African to score a try in a Rugby World Cup final
• 47 Springbok Test appearances
• 33 Test tries as of July 2025

Legacy

Mapimpi's story is about much more than rugby.

He came from Tsholomnqa in the Eastern Cape, developed through amateur rugby and waited until his late twenties for his international opportunity.

Once he got it, he made history.

From scoring his first Springbok try on debut to crossing the line in a World Cup final, Mapimpi has become a symbol of perseverance and opportunity.

His journey from rural Eastern Cape rugby to two Rugby World Cup medals has made him one of the most celebrated figures of the modern Springbok era.

Quick facts

• Full name: Makazole Mapimpi
• Born: 26 July 1990
• Age: 36
• Birthplace: Tsholomnqa, Eastern Cape
• School: Jim Mvabasa SS School
• Position: Wing
• Height: 1.84m
• Professional breakthrough: Border Bulldogs
• Current club: Sharks
• Springbok debut: 2 June 2018
• Springbok caps: 47
• Springbok tries: 33
• World Cups: 2019, 2023
• World Cup titles: 2
• Historic achievement: First South African to score a try in a Rugby World Cup final

From a rural village in the Eastern Cape to the biggest stage in world rugby, Makazole Mapimpi's career is one of the great South African sporting success stories.