Lions wingman geared for third straight Final
VIDEO: Two-time Currie Cup winner Tapiwa Mafura will happily end his career at the Lions having found a home where he is thriving on and off the pitch.
The 28-year-old Mafura joined the Lions in July as part of five new signings and immediately made his mark, bringing versatility to the backline with sterling performances in abundance.
A Currie Cup champion with the Pumas and Cheetahs, Mafura unceremoniously is on the verge of making history if the Lions clinch the title against the Sharks at Ellis Park this weekend, going for his third consecutive Currie Cup title.
He won the coveted trophy with the Pumas in 2022 and the Cheetahs the following year. Can he make it a Currie Cup three-peat this weekend?
He made his debut for the Lions against the Sharks at the beginning of this season’s Currie Cup and has since notched up multiple outings.
The Lions wing, also a Zimbabwean Sables international, had a match-winning performance for his national side as they trumped Namibia 32-10 recently and has been one of the standout players in this year’s Africa Cup.
This was the Sable’s fourth victory in 35 matches and broke a 23-year losing streak to Namibia’s Welwitchias.
Mafura spoke to reporters this week at a Lions training session about how much the experience of two previous Currie Cup Finals helps him and his teammates.
“The composure with having played in it [Finals] helps a lot.
“For some of the players, it is their first time and they are leaning on my experience and how I’ve handled it in the past.
“It is obviously a different game, opponent, different team – it feels like it is my first time as well.
“But I’ve got the experience in these types of situations,” the softly-spoken Mafura said.
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Mafura highlights his first Currie Cup win with the Pumas. The men from Nelspruit first defeated them in the semifinal in Bloemfontein and then went on to clinch the title on June 25 in Kimberley by beating Griquas 26-19.
“I think the Pumas one was the best because I had just come from the Cheetahs and I wanted to prove a point to them,” he said.
“That was the best one because no one gave us a chance. Pumas in the final, no one thought we were going to win it.”
Mafura has clearly found his final rugby home with the Lions in Johannesburg, claiming he would gladly end off his career in the Red and White.
“The culture is amazing, I feel at home, everyone has welcomed me and the coaches have been great, same as the players.
“My family is also happy here so yeah, I’m happy.
“If I could end my career here, I would be happy.
“I’ve never been this happy in my career since it started.”
