The angle that shows what a finisher Mapimpi is
When talking about the best finishers in world rugby, Makazole Mapimpi would be at the top, or at least near the top, of most people’s list. His record of 21 tries in 29 Tests backs that up.
The winger was on the scoresheet in South Africa’s second Test against the All Blacks in Johannesburg, and came close to bagging two but for an infringement in the build up.
He made his try look so simple after he received the ball in space after Damian Willemse’s long pass. But a ground level video of the try showed how well he took the try, as he exhibited his insane acceleration with about half the All Blacks team running towards him. That is what separates him from plenty of other good wingers out there who might not have finished that. Part of what makes an elite player so good is how they make the hard parts of the game look so easy, and Mapimpi did that here.
Take a look at the try (shared by Brandon Portnoy):
https://www.tiktok.com/@brandon_portnoy/video/7133261516740103429?is_from_webapp=1&sender_device=pc&web_id=7134602614176351749
Mapimpi has been picked to start in round three of the Rugby Championship against Australia this Saturday.
Springbok team to face Australia in Adelaide:
15 – Damian Willemse (DHL Stormers) – 20 caps, 12 pts (1t, 2c, 1p)
14 – Warrick Gelant (Racing 92) – 10 caps, 15 pts (3t)
13 – Lukhanyo Am (Cell C Sharks) – 30 caps, 30 pts (6t)
12 – Damian de Allende (Wild Knights) – 62 caps, 35 pts (7t)
11 – Makazole Mapimpi (Cell C Sharks) – 29 caps, 105 pts (21t)
10 – Handre Pollard (Leicester Tigers) – 64 caps, 662 pts (7t, 90c, 144p, 5d)
9 – Faf de Klerk (Yokohama Canon Eagles) – 39 caps, 25 pts (5t)
8 – Duane Vermeulen (Ulster) – 62 caps, 15 pts (3t)
7 – Pieter-Steph du Toit (Toyota Verblitz) – 62 caps, 25 pts (5t)
6 – Siya Kolisi (captain, Cell C Sharks) – 67 caps, 35 pts (7t)
5 – Lood de Jager (Wild Knights) – 60 caps, 25 pts (5t)
4 – Eben Etzebeth (Cell C Sharks) – 102 caps, 15 pts (3t)
3 – Frans Malherbe (DHL Stormers) – 50 caps, 5 pts (1t)
2 – Joseph Dweba (DHL Stormers) – 3 caps, 0pts
1 – Ox Nche (Cell C Sharks) – 11 caps, 0pts
Replacements:
16 – Malcolm Marx (Kubota Spears) – 51 caps, 55 pts (11t)
17 – Steven Kitshoff (DHL Stormers) – 63 caps, 5 pts (1t)
18 – Vincent Koch (Wasps) 36 caps, 0 pts
19 – Franco Mostert (Honda Heat) – 55 caps, 5pts (1t)
20 – Kwagga Smith (Shizuoka Blue Revs) – 23 caps, 5 pts (1t)
21 – Jaden Hendrikse (Cell C Sharks) – 6 caps, 5 pts (1t)
22 – Elton Jantjies (NTT Docomo Red Hurricanes) – 45 caps, 329 pts (2t, 65c, 62p, 1d)
23 – Frans Steyn (Toyota Cheetahs) – 74 caps, 150 pts (11t, 7c, 24p, 3d)
