In the absence of injured wing Cheslin Kolbe for the Springboks’ upcoming end-of-year tour, serious consideration could have been given to recalling Makazole Mapimpi to the national side.
However, injuries have plagued Mapimpi in recent times, and the 36-year-old currently remains sidelined with a hamstring strain.
Previously, Springbok coach Rassie Erasmus said they would have had every intention of getting Mapimpi through to 50 caps, but injuries and the need to start looking at younger players out wide has effectively stalled these plans.
Mapimpi currently finds himself stranded on 47 Tests caps, having last featured for the Springboks in July 2025.
Can Makazole Mapimpi fight his way back into Springbok contention?
Having made his debut at the relatively late age of 27, Mapimpi’s rise to international stardom has defied the conventional modern trajectory.
Forever remembered as the first South African to score a try in a Rugby World Cup final, his lethal finishing ability and electric speed made him an indispensable weapon in Rassie Erasmus’ setup over two World Cup cycles.
With 33 tries to his name, he remains third on the list of all-time Springbok try scorers.
It would be incredibly unfortunate if Mapimpi were unable to bank three more caps, but with Ethan Hooker, Canan Moodie and Edwill van der Merwe all offering back up to Kurt-Lee Arendse and Kolbe, the reality is that he may have already played his last game in the green and gold.
The Springboks will soon head off on their end-of-year tour, with the Bulls’ Sebastian de Klerk also the latest outside back to be added to the national group.
Squad for second leg of Nations Championship:
Props: Thomas du Toit, Ox Nche (both Hollywoodbets Sharks), Wilco Louw, Ntuthuko Mchunu, Zachary Porthen (all DHL Stormers), Gerhard Steenekamp (Vodacom Bulls).
Hookers: Malcolm Marx (Kubota Spears), Jan-Hendrik Wessels (Vodacom Bulls).
Locks: Lood de Jager (Wild Knights), Salmaan Moerat (Stade Rochelais), Ruan Nortje (Kubota Spears), Riley Norton (DHL Stormers), Franco Mostert (Honda Heat).
Loose forwards: Paul de Villiers, Siya Kolisi (both DHL Stormers), Cameron Hanekom (Vodacom Bulls), Emmanuel Tshituka (Hollywoodbets Sharks), Jasper Wiese (Urayasu D-Rocks).
Utility forwards: Pieter-Steph du Toit (Toyota Verblitz), Marco van Staden (Vodacom Bulls).
Scrumhalves: Cobus Reinach (DHL Stormers), Morne van den Berg (10bet Lions), Grant Williams (Kobe Steelers).
Flyhalves: Yaqeen Ahmed, Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu (both DHL Stormers), Luan Giliomee (Vodacom Bulls), Manie Libbok (Kintetsu Liners).
Centres: Damian de Allende (Wild Knights), Jesse Kriel (Canon Eagles), Markus Muller (DHL Stormers), Canan Moodie (Vodacom Bulls).
Outside backs: Sebastian de Klerk (Vodacom Bulls), Aphelele Fassi, Ethan Hooker, Edwill van der Merwe (all Hollywoodbets Sharks), Kurt-Lee Arendse (Mitsubishi Dynaboars), Damian Willemse (DHL Stormers).
