Mapimpi opens up on that revenge try in Sydney
SPOTLIGHT: Springbok wing Makazole Mapimpi said he was glad he got the opportunity to right some wrongs against the Wallabies in Sydney last weekend.
The Bok flyer was one of four try-scorers in South Africa’s 24-8 win at the Sydney Football Ground.
After having a fairly quiet for most of the game, Mapimpi was put into space in the 71st minute to sprint downfield to score a fantastic try.
He was also sin-binned for sparking a big scuffle when he pushed Marika Koroibete after beating him to the tryline, in what appeared to be a degree of revenge after the Wallaby wing smashed him over the sideline with a monster hit as he attempted to score in the Adelaide Test a week earlier.
Tempers are flaring 🥊
Makazole Mapimpi was yellow-carded after inciting this mass brawl following his try.
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“It’s important that when I have a chance, I go on to score,” said Mapimpi.
“It was a good thing to be able to do what we [wings] enjoy doing, and especially to score tries when we had the opportunities.
“It was really great for us as a team to bounce back from the previous game [against Australia – which the Springboks lost 17-25].
“And personally, it was a nice feeling to score a try.
Mapimpi added: “It is vital to score tries when we have the opportunity to play, so we have to focus on ensuring that we finish our chances next week.”
#SPOTLIGHT: Kiwis go gaga over Moodie 👇#RugbyChampionship #SouthAfrica #Springboks https://t.co/pRrp0HvdFa
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Buenos Aires challenge
Meanwhile, the Springboks will not be lured into a false sense of security ahead of the Rugby Championship Round Five encounter against Argentina in Buenos Aires next weekend.
After a shock 25-18 win over the All Blacks in Christchurch, Michael Cheika’s Argentina were brought back down to earth a week later in Hamilton with a 3-53 defeat to the same opponents.
“Argentina are a good team with quality players and they have several experienced players – some of whom we have been playing against for a few years now,” said Mapimpi.
“We know the intensity and physicality with which the All Blacks play after seeing their result against New Zealand last week, and Argentina were on the same level against them in their first Test match in Christchurch.
“So, we are really looking forward to playing against Los Pumas next week.”
