VIDEO: World Cup 2027 a bridge too far for Bok veteran

SPOTLIGHT: Springbok wing Makazole Mapimpi accepts that his time on the playing field is nearing an end.

The double World Cup winner is 34 and he is still showing signs of how lethal he can be out wide on attack.

However, like a few others in the current Springbok setup, he is preparing to pass the baton onto the next generation.

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“I think body-wise I am still okay,” said Mapimpi, who is with the Bok squad in Edinburgh ahead of Sunday’s clash against Scotland.

“I do talk to the conditioning coaches on what I can do to maintain my body and about the physical stuff and resting in between.

“I’m quite good now, but I am not sure if I will be able to make another World Cup.

“I’m not saying I won’t, but I don’t think so. I am just focussing on the things that are in front of me which is the tour now with the Springboks and then it’s going to be the URC.”

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Mapimpi said he will be doing all he can to help the next generation of wings.

“There are a lot of players that are coming in now and it’s a good thing for the team as well,” he said.

“For me, it’s about assisting the players, especially if I am not playing and it’s vice versa.

“If I am playing then most of the guys will assist me and try to analyse the opposition team.

“That is a wonderful thing about this team because we are assisting each other to become better.

After achieving so much on the Test stage, Mapimpi still has that motivation to help take the Boks to the next level.

“It’s more about the love of the game and representing the Springboks and the Sharks at the same time,” he said.

“I also don’t want to disappoint myself and the coaches. I just want to keep that level until I retire.”

@rugby365com