Makazole Mapimpi Blow: Springboks Star Banned for Five Matches After Red Card

On Oct 23, 2025

Makazole Mapimpi Suspension Delivers Fresh Blow to Sharks and Springboks

The Sharks’ challenging season has suffered yet another setback as star winger Makazole Mapimpi has been handed a five-match suspension for dangerous play in their recent United Rugby Championship (URC) clash against Ulster.

His dismissal early in the second half contributed to a 34–26 home defeat — the Durban side’s fourth loss in a row.

Also Read: Pic: Siya Kolisi Enjoys Chicken Feet with Springboks Teammates Lukhanyo AM and Makazole Mapimpi

URC Confirms Verdict

The URC announced the disciplinary ruling on Wednesday, 22 October. Mapimpi faced disciplinary officer Sheriff Kathrine Mackie and accepted that the foul play incident, deemed a dangerous lifting and dropping offence under Law 9.18, merited a red card.

Major Consequences for Club and Country

The suspension arrives at a crucial stage of the season, removing one of the Sharks’ most experienced backs at a time when the team is struggling to turn form around.

It also affects the Springboks’ end-of-year Test preparations, with the double Rugby World Cup champion now sidelined for key fixtures.

As part of his ban, Mapimpi will miss:

The Sharks’ upcoming URC home match against the Scarlets
Four of South Africa’s five scheduled end-of-year internationals

Selection Challenges Ahead

The Sharks now face the demanding task of reshuffling their backline once again, while the national team must weigh alternative attacking options as they look to finish the year strongly without one of their most feared finishers.

Social Media Reacts

Rugby fans were divided over Makazole Mapimpi’s five-match suspension. Some argued the punishment was too harsh given his clean record over nearly 200 games, while others pointed out the danger of the tackle and said the sanction was justified.

Several supporters felt disciplinary inconsistencies remained a major issue in world rugby, especially when compared with similar incidents involving northern hemisphere players.

Here are some of the comments:

@ByronLoader77;

Mapimpi must be one of the most harshly dealt with players by world rugby.

That is his first red card for a tackle in 200 games.

That’s 5 more weeks and a red more than Augustine Pulu got in the world cup for breaking Mapimpis eye socket at the last world cup

@MjekulaXolisa;

Just this coming weekend, there will be NH player who is going to do the worst but the sanction will be different. Mapimpi and Wessels sanctions need to be studied at Ireland Universities

@sibusisovi;

It’s a bit excessive

@Don_092;

That’s fair, it was a terrible tackle very dangerous

Crédito: Link de origem