It’s Mapimpi’s chance to shine

Makazole Mapimpi has been somewhat overshadowed by Cheslin Kolbe at the World Cup, but with his fellow winger ruled out of the semifinal against Wales, the prolific finisher will have his chance to hog the limelight on Sunday.

Mapimpi is an unlikely Springbok, having grown up in grinding poverty in a rural area without a big rugby tradition and getting his first call-up to the squad at a relatively advanced age.

The 29-year-old has scored 13 tries in 12 Tests - including five so far in Japan - since making his debut against Wales in the US in 2018.

Springbok backs coach Mzwandile Stick described him as one of the best finishers in the game and said his aptitude under the high ball was remarkable.

“He comes from a rural area in the Eastern Cape.

“As a youngster, he would spend 10km a day walking to school,” Stick said.

“The coaches and players always laugh when I tell this story of how, in the rural areas, if you kick a rugby ball, the coach will take you off the field.

“You are not allowed [to kick] - you are supposed to run and catch, that’s all.

“So, he was never exposed to a game where there was kicking, and aerial skills and stuff.”

Stick said he hoped the Springboks would give Mapimpi more opportunities to show off his prodigious finishing skills against Wales and illustrate once again the improvements he has made as a player over the last few years.

"He was always very fit, very dedicated to what he wanted to achieve," Stick said.

"When we invited him to our camp last year, we knew what we were dealing with, and just wanted to make sure that we give him the best possible support, and improve his game.

“He has developed as a player. It's a nice story to tell to youngsters, that irrespective of your background, if you really work hard, and your opportunity comes, you need to be ready.”

Mapimpi crossed the whitewash twice in the quarterfinal against Japan to move to the top of the try-scoring standings along with Josh Adams of Wales and Japan’s Kotaro Matsushima.

He was always very fit, very dedicated to what he wanted to achieve